Chabahar Port: A gateway to new opportunities

Arrival of the first consignment of wheat assistance to Afghanistan at Chabahar Port

November 1, 2017

The first consignment of wheat assistance to Afghanistan which was flagged–off by the External Affairs Minister of India, Smt. Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan H.E. Salahuddin Rabbani from Kandla port through a joint video conference on 29 October 2017 reached Chabahar port today.

A welcome ceremony was held at Chabahar port on this landmark occasion. H.E. Mr. Mehrdad Taghizadeh, Deputy Minister of Transit, Ministry of Roads, Transport and Urban Development of Islamic Republic of Iran, Deputy Governor General of Sistan Balichistan province, Deputy in Port and Maritime organisation and Ambassadors of Afghanistan and India participated in the event. Senior Officials from the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Urban Development, Ports and Maritime Organization, Representatives from Sistan Baluchistan Province and Chabahar Port Authority of Iran also attended the ceremony.

Dignitaries from all three countries welcomed this important milestone towards operationalization of Chabahar port and reiterated their commitment to increase cooperation to enhance connectivity between India, Iran and Afghanistan for mutual benefit and prosperity.

Iranian Deputy Minister of Transit elaborated on the steps being taken for effective management of India-Iran-Afghanistan transit corridor to enhance regional connectivity. Deputy Governor General of Sistan-Baluchistan highlighted the immense potential of Chabahar port in transforming the province and the region. Ambassador of Afghanistan underlined pivotal importance of Chabahar port in development of Afghan economy. And Ambassador of India reiterated India’s commitment to the development of Chabahar port which he said would open new opportunities for trade and transit between the three countries and the region.

The consignment will be transported from Chabahar to Afghanistan by road via Milak border crossing, and will traverse the Zarang-Delaram road in Afghanistan which was built with Indian assistance.

Six more shipments totaling 1,10,000 tonnes of wheat will be sent from India to Afghanistan via Chabahar port over the next few months. These shipments are part of the commitment made by the Government of India to gift 1.1 million tonnes of wheat to the people of Afghanistan.

The contract for development of Chabahar port and Trilateral Transit Agreement were signed during the landmark visit of Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India to Iran in May 2016.

Tehran

November 01, 2017