December 03, 2017

The 2nd Ministerial level trilateral meeting between Afghanistan, India and Iran to discuss the implementation of Trilateral Agreement on Establishment of International Transport and Transit Corridor was held at Chabahar, Iran on 3 December 2017. The Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran H.E Dr. Abbas Ahmed Akhoundi, Minister of Commerce and Industries of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan H.E. Mr. HumayoonRasaw and the Minister of State for Shipping of the Republic of India H.E. Mr. P Radhakrishnan led the respective delegations.

The three Ministers welcomed the inauguration of Phase-1 of the Chabahar Port by the President of Iran earlier in the day.

The Ministers recalled the decisions taken at the last trilateral meeting that was held in New Delhi in September 2016, and expressed satisfaction on the completion of the ratification procedures of the Trilateral Agreement by Afghanistan and India. They welcomed the steps taken by Iranian Majles to complete the ratification process.

The Ministers discussed the next steps for full implementation of the Agreement and moving towards its operationalization. Towards this endeavor, it was decided to finalize protocols related to transport and transit, ports, customs procedures and consular affairs. It was also decided to convene an Expert level meeting of senior officials of the three countries at the earliest.

Reiterating the importance of Chabahar as a hub for regional economic connectivity and their commitment to work towards this objective, the Ministers commended the joint efforts of the three countries in the recent successful transit of wheat from India to Afghanistan through Chabahar. It was also reiterated to organize a connectivity event involving all stakeholders at Chabahar at the earliest so as to increase awareness about the new opportunities offered by Chabahar Port.

The Ministers agreed that an integrated development of connectivity infrastructure including Ports, Road and Rail networks would open up greater opportunities for regional market access and contribute towards the economic integration and benefit of the three countries and the region.