Current Affairs

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Why in News?

The new 10 years agreement between India & Iran to develop Chabahar Pot not exempt from Iran Sanctions: US

• It is located on the Makran coast, Chabahar in southeastern Iran.

• Its location lies in the Gulf of Oman.

• This coast is a relatively underdeveloped free trade and industrial zone, especially when compared to the sprawling port of Bandar Abbas further west.

• Also, it is the only Iranian port with direct access to the ocean.

Significance of Chabahar Port:

• It gives a boost to India’s bilateral ties with Iran which is a major oil supplier for India.

• It will give India access to Afghanistan, Russia and Europe, thus circumventing Pakistan.

• The port and the rail project (Chabahar to Zahedan to Zarang near Afghanistan border) will enhance connectivity, energy supplies and trade 

• The port is also a key link in the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multi-modal network of ships, rail and road routes to move freight between India to Russia via Iran.

Significance of Chabahar Port:

• It will facilitate India’s role in Afghanistan’s development through infrastructure and education projects.

• It is the nearest port to India on the Iranian coast, which provides access to the resources and markets of Afghanistan and Central Asia.

• It is located 76 nautical miles (less than 150km) west of the Pakistani port of Gwadar, being developed by China; this makes it ideal
for keeping track of Chinese or Pakistani military activity based
out of Gwadar.

Chabahar Port (UPSC)