Iran is set to propose to Pakistan to connect Pakistan’s Gwadar port to Iran’s Chabahar port. Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, commented that Iran attaches great importance to ties with Pakistan and cooperation between the two ports. Also, the development of the Chabahar port is amongst Iran’s top priorities, noting that the first Indian cargo was sent to Afghanistan through the Chabahar port.
Specifically, Iran’s Foreign Minister highlighted
We believe that Chabahar and Gwadar can complement each other.
The Minister plans a trip to Islamabad to connect Pakistan’s Gwadar port to its “complementary” port Chabahar in southeastern Iran.
In addition, the Iranian Minister noted that both ports will win many benefits after this collaboration, also noting that the cooperation with Islamic countries in the region is of a great importance.
The connection of these ports will achieve the connection between Chabahar and Gwadar, and then through that, connect Gwadar to their entire railroad system, from Iran to the North Corridor, through Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, and also through Azerbaijan, Russia, and through Turkey.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in a visit to the far-Southeastern port city of Chabahar near the border with Pakistan, reassured that the development of the port and its free trade zone will greatly contribute to the growth of trade between Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and will bring regional allies closer together.
In the meantime, the Foreign Minister added that the capacities of Chabahar port will play an important role to the development, stability and security of the region.
The Deputy Chairman of Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) Khanjan Alokozay announced that a big cargo of rice from India had arrived in Chabahar port to be transported to landlocked Afghanistan while at the same time Afghans were sending a shipment of dried fruit to the South Asian country through the same strategic port.
Around 500 tons of rice which were bought from India has arrived in Chabahar this week. Exports have also started through Chabahar.
… Alokozay addressed.
As this is the first Indian cargo sent to Afghanistan through Chabahar, the official noted that in line with the plans to boost regional connectivity, Afghanistan is ready to send its second shipment to India via Chabahar.
