India turning Chabahar into port of choice: shipping secy

The port offers India better regional connectivity, trade options, less reliance on Pakistan

- Subhash Narayan

India is pushing ahead to make Chabahar, located in the strategic southeastern corner of Iran, its main port of call in a bid to pivot away from Bandar Abbas near the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint, said ports, shipping and waterways secretary T. K. Ramachandran.

The recent tension in West Asia, marked by the Iran-Israel conflict and US bombings, has prompted India to fast-track its plan to develop rail and road infrastructure at Chabahar port.

This would turn it into the preferred port of call for the movement of all Indian goods destined for Central Asian countries and Afghanistan and reduce dependence on Bandar Abbas.

Chabahar not only provides India with an alternative access point to Central Asia and Afghanistan but also bypasses both Pakistan and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

This offers India greater regional connectivity and trade options, reducing its reliance on Pakistan and potentially strengthening its geopolitical influence in the region.