Q. What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.
India’s relations with oil producing Arab countries will be strengthened.
India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India

Answer: (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The Chabahar port project was signed in 2003.
Chabahar Port is situated in Sistan and Baluchistan province in the Southeastern part of Iran, on the Gulf of Oman.
In December 2018, India took over the operations of the Port.
It was being operated by India Ports Global Private Limited.
India’s first shipment of wheat to Afghanistan was sent through Chabahar Port.
India began building a railway line between Chabahar port and Zahedan as a part of the North-South Transport Corridor.
It has been a symbol of traditionally important geopolitical significance of Chabahar port for India-Iran ties
Boost trade ties, diplomatic ties and military ties with Iran.
Provides India with better connectivity to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.
It will be the gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor which is a combination of road, rail and sea routes connecting Russia, Europe, Central Asia, Iran and India.
India can carry out humanitarian operations from this port if the necessity arises.
This port is simply 170 km away from Gwadar port operated by China in Pakistan, hence this port would be of strategic importance to Indian Navy and defence establishment.