4.12.17

Iran Offers Management Rights for Chabahar Port

Iran has offered India management rights for Phase-1of Chabahar Port launched by the country’s President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday in presence of MoS shipping P Radhakrishnan from Delhi a day after Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj was in Tehran to push Delhi's agenda.

Eyeing a foothold in the region barely 100 km from Pakistan’s Gwadar port built and managed by China India has alloted $ 235 mn for expansion of Phase II of strategically located Chabahar Port besides another $500 million for development of Chabahar Port complex including SEZ.

Earlier, India sent its first wheat consignment to Afghanistan through the Chabahar Port on October 29. India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a trilateral pact in 2016 for use of Chabahar port. The October shipment is a part of commitment made by India to supply 1.1 million tonnes of wheat for the people of Afghanistan on grant basis. Six more wheat shipments will be sent over the next few months.

The opening ceremony at Chabahar port at the confluence of Oman Sea and the Indian Ocean was attended by 60 representatives from 17 countries. The project, due to its strategic location, links the region to Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, according to Iranian officials.

The offer involves management rights for two years and could be renewed by another decade, according to one of the officials quoted above.

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