Sarbananda Sonowal, the Indian minister for ports, shipping, and ayush, visited the Shahid Behestti port in Chabahar, Iran, on Saturday to present six mobile harbour cranes to the Indian Ports Global Chabahar Free Trade Zone (IPGCFTZ) there.
Gaddam Dharmendra, India’s ambassador to Iran, accompanied the Minister. The Iranian team was led at the launch by Dr. Ali Akbar Safaee, Deputy Minister and Managing Director of Ports and Maritime Organization, Iran.
The discussion between Dr. Ali Akbar Safaee and Sonowal about expanding port and maritime cooperation between Iran and India was productive. Both the delegations explored how to open up economic opportunities between South Asian, ASEAN, and even Far Eastern nations like Japan and Korea, according to officials.
Sonowal underlined on this occasion how Chabahar port may help cut down on travel time, costs, and distance. It was decided to establish a joint technical committee to ensure the port operated well. The future course of action for port development was also discussed at the meeting.
According to Sonowal, “Our shared historical link has served as the foundation for bilateral ties between India and Iran. The ongoing involvement and coordinated efforts over the previous years have given the bilateral relationship the perfect foundation for growth and development. In order to realise the goals outlined during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2016 visit to Iran, India is still completely committed to developing the Chabahar port. The introduction of the SIX mobile harbour cranes would boost the Shahid Behesti Port’s productivity and provide additional momentum for the growth of the Chabahar Port.
Chabahar port has a crucial strategic role in enabling regional trade between South Asia, Central Asia, and South East Asia. As the primary commerce route between the two areas, we are constantly working to make the International North South Transport Corridor.
Over 4.8 million tonnes of bulk cargo have been handled at Shahid Beheshti Port since India Ports Global Private Limited (IPGPL) took over management of the facility. Various nations, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Germany, Oman, Romania, Russia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, transshipped products.
Iranian stakeholders, including the Chabahar Free Zone Authority, Iran’s Port and Maritime Organization, Iranian Customs Administration, and Shahid Behesti Port, work closely with India’s IGPL to operate the port.
India has proposed connecting the Port with INSTC, which might serve as a catalyst for the region’s enormous commerce potential.
Sonowal is on a three-day official trip to Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates. The tour also aims to showcase the significance of Chabahar port as a crossing point for trade between India and the CIS, Europe, and Russia.
