India affirms commitment to unlock trade potential of Chabahar Port

The union minister of ports, shipping & waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal affirmed India's commitment to unlocking the trade potential with the Central Asian region through the use of Chabahar Port in Iran.

The union minister was interacting with the high-level diplomatic delegation from Central Asian Countries here in Mumbai on the occasion of Chabahar day. The day is celebrated to mark the beginning of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) - an Indian vision for the economic 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.

The union minister was joined by the union minister of state for MoPSW, Shripad Yesso Naik, Nurlan Zhalgasbayev, ambassador, Republic of Kazakhstan; Asein Isaev, ambassador, Kyrgyzstan; Lukmon Bobokalonzoda, ambassador, Tajikistan; Shalar Geldynazarov, amassador, Turkmenistan, Dilshod Akhatov, ambassador, Uzbekistan, Jalil Eslami, deputy of port and economic affairs of PMO; Zakia Wardak, consul general (CG), Afghanistan; Dr A M Alikhani consul general, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Masoud Ostad Hossein, advisor to the minister & head of the centre for international affairs of the ministry of road & urban development, Iran; Rajeev Jalota, chairman, Indian Ports Association; JP Singh, JS Pai, and Sunil Mukundan, MD, IPGL were present at the event.

Sonowal said, "India is working towards developing an alternative vista with the Central Asian region in order to unlock the huge trade potential that belies this strong relationship India enjoys with the Central Asian countries. 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 rationalise our logistics cost which will contribute to the trade volume between the two regions. The Chabahar Free Trade Zone is an opportunity for the logistics companies to reap allowing the trade to bloom. Once we start exploring this route for trade, we will be able to rationalise our logistical costs, in terms of money and time, helping build an economical, faster, & shorter route between the two regions. I would like to take this opportunity to request all of you to take this message ahead to make your business community aware of the opportunity and potential that this route may unlock."

During the event, the delegates from the Central Asian countries highlighted how Chabahar's link with INSTC can play a vital role in boosting EXIM trade in their regions and its potential to further boost development in the landlocked countries.