Indian Ambassador to Iran Rudra Gaurav Shresth paid a visit to Chabahar Port on Friday, marking his first visit to the port since taking office as envoy.
This was the top envoy’s first visit outside Tehran since presenting his credentials to Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi earlier this month, News18 reported.
According to observers, the choice of Chabahar as Shresth’s first port of call highlights the importance placed by India on the port’s development.
During the visit, Shresth met senior officials of Chabahar Port, including General Director of Port Engineer Adhari and Governor of Chabahar Javad Sepahi, at the India Global Port Limited’s office outside Shahid Beheshti Terminal. He also met other senior officials of Chabahar Port’s International Affairs Department.
IGPL, a government of India-owned company, is operating the Shahid Beheshti Terminal. IGPL MD Sunil Mukundan was also present at the meeting, which was attended by other diplomats of the Indian Embassy.
Located in the Sistan-Balochistan Province on the energy-rich Iran’s southern coast, Chabahar Port is being developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan to boost connectivity and trade ties. The Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar is India’s first overseas port project touted as a possible gateway for India to trade with Europe, Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States countries.
India is developing two terminals at the port under an agreement signed with Iran, it would run the terminal for 10 years.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, India used Chabahar Port to send 75,000 tons of wheat as humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and 25 tons of the pesticide malathion to Iran to deal with a locust invasion.
In March this year, India announced a fresh tranche of 20,000 tons of wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar Port.
According to Asian News International, Shresth is a career diplomat and a member of the Indian Foreign Service. He assumed charge as the Indian ambassador to Iran in May 2023.
Earlier in his career, he worked in India's diplomatic missions in France, Mauritius, Afghanistan, Singapore and Bhutan. He also served as India's High Commissioner to Mozambique from 2016 to 2019.
The Chabahar Port holds strategic importance for India and the country is developing Chabahar Port in a phased manner.
In May 2016, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed a contract in Tehran on the Shahid Beheshti Terminal of Chabahar, which includes, among other things, an investment of $85 million for the purchase of equipment for the port.
Recently, at the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, Modi remarked that SCO members can work toward maximizing the utilization of Chabahar Port following Iran's membership in SCO, the official press release by Indian Prime Minister's Office said.
Chabahar Port serves as Iran's only oceanic port and consists of two separate terminal. Its geographic proximity to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and the International North-South Transportation Corridor gives it the potential to develop into one of the most important commercial hubs.
"The International North-South Transportation Corridor can serve as a secure and efficient route for landlocked countries in Central Asia to access the Indian Ocean. We should strive to realize its full potential. Modi was quoted as saying in the press release.
The Indian premier mentioned the importance of better connectivity.
"Strong connectivity is crucial for the progress of any region. Better connectivity not only enhances mutual trade but also fosters mutual trust. However, in these efforts, it is essential to uphold the basic principles of the SCO charter, particularly respecting the sovereignty and regional integrity of the member states," the release said.
