Chabahar Port has emerged as 'connecting point'

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said, the shift in the fulcrum of global economic growth towards Asia is creating unprecedented opportunities for connectivity in the region. He said, there is a huge infrastructure deficit in the region which needs to be met to fulfil the growing aspirations of our peoples. The Minister said, Government of India recognising the importance of regional connectivity made a landmark decision to undertake an overseas port investment in Chabahar. 

Addressing the Ministerial-Level opening session of Chabahar Day on Thursday,Dr Jaishankar said, the establishment and operations of India Ports Global Limited at Shahid Behesti Port in Chabahar is the practical realisation of this important initiative. He said, Chabahar port has not only emerged as a commercial transit hub for the region but also facilitated the delivery of humanitarian assistance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, the port is part of our shared commitment towards peace, stability and prosperity of the people of Afghanistan.

The Minister said, India has utilized the Chabahar port to ship 75 thousand Metric Tonnes of wheat as humanitarian food assistance to Afghanistan in September last year. He said, India also assisted Iran to fight the worst ever locust invasion in the last 25 years by supplying 25 Metric Tonnes of Malathion in June last year through the Chabahar port.The second batch of 25 Metric Tonnes has recently reached Chabahar Port. Besides the Indian exports of food products, the port has also handled several shipments and trans-shipments from Russia, Brazil, Thailand, Germany, Ukraine and the UAE.Dr Jaishankar said, the International North-South Transport Corridor INSTC is an important trade corridor project, wherein India is partnering with 12 countries to establish an economic corridor for the benefit of our peoples. He said, India also welcome the interest of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan to join the multilateral corridor project. Ministers from Afghanistan, Armenia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan participated in the event.

Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya, in his keynote address , said thatChabahar Port is facilitating trade between Central Asian countries and Afghanistan with the countries of South and Southeast Asia and the Far East.He also  welcomed the interest shown by Uzbekistan and Afghanistan to join the INSTC.