Chabahar Day: India shares vision to unlock trade potential with Central Asia through Chabahar

New Delhi, Aug 1: On the occasion of ‘Chabahar Day’, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal affirmed India’s commitment towards unlocking the trade potential with the Central Asian region through the use of Chabahar Port in Iran. The Ministry along with the Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL), which was formed to participate in Shahid Behesthi Port at Chabahar development project, had organized a conference in Mumbai on Jul 31.

 

 

 

 

On the occasion of Chabahar Day, Union Minister Sonowal and Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shripad Yesso Naik interacted with the high level diplomatic delegation from Central Asian Countries. Sonowal also said, “Our vision is to make Chabahar Port a transit hub under the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to reach out to CIS countries”. “Chabahar Day” is celebrated to mark the beginning of INSTC - an Indian vision to economize movement of cargo between India and Central Asia. The Chabahar Port located in Iran is the commercial transit centre for the region and especially Central Asia.

 

 

 

 

 

Union Minister Sonowal said, “The idea of INSTC via the vibrant Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar in Iran is an idea to connect the two markets using a multi modal logistical corridor”. This will rationalize India and Iran's logistics cost, which will contribute towards the trade volume between the two regions. Chabahar Port links the rich Central Asian region with the South Asian markets. It has emerged as significant for trade, economic collaborations and connecting people between the two geographies.

 

Owing to the potential of the Central Asian markets, the India-led connectivity has provided a secure and commercially viable access to the Indian Ocean region for Central Asian countries. Sarbananda Sonowal said that this link will not only provide connectivity, but also drive investments further supporting our cultural and political ties. It will additionally develop the transit and transport potential of the Central Asian Region and improve their logistic network.