NO US SANCTION ON CHABAHAR PORT
Recently, the External Minister of India replied in the Parliament that the US sanctions on Iran have no bearing on India’s Chabahar port project and the port is functioning well. The US has given separate exceptions for the strategic Chabahar port project.
ABOUT CHABAHAR PORT
It is located in the Indian Ocean in the Sistan province of Iran. The Chabahar port is considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries. The port, which is easily accessible from India's western coast, is increasingly seen as a counter to Pakistan's Gwadar Port which is being developed with Chinese investment.
Importance of Chabahar Port for India
- Alternate Route: Chabahar Port provides an option of alternate supply route to everyone, thus reducing the importance of Pakistan with respect to trade.
- Strategic Requirements: It is located on the Gulf of Oman and is only 72 km away from the Gwadar port in Pakistan which has been developed by China. China is aggressively pursuing its own Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) under the One Belt One Road (OBOR) project.
- Connectivity: In future, the Chabahar project and the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) will complement each other by optimizing Indian connectivity with Russia and Eurasia. Also, it gives India direct access to Afghanistan and other Central Asian Republics
REASONS FOR EXCEPTIONS IN US SANCTIONS
- In Interest of Afghanistan: The US acknowledges that the Chabahar port project is not just only in India’s or Iran’s strategic interest but also in Afghanistan’s strategic interest. Afghanistan is a landlocked country which depends on Pakistan for trade. All its trade goes largely through the Pakistani ports. Pakistan denies transit to India for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia. This project provides Afghanistan a strategic alternative and helps it to escape being landlocked in a sense.
- Bypassing Pakistan: If in future, issues between America and Iran get resolved, then Chabahar Port will enable America to bypass Pakistan. Pakistan still controls all the administrative routes by which Afghanistan can be supplied. US has always remained hesitant to act on terrorists, specifically Afghan Talibans, due to that. Chabahar Port gives an option to America to take action against such terrorists.
CHABAHAR PORT OF IRAN
It is located on the Gulf of Oman and is only 72 km away from the Gwadar port in Pakistan which has been developed by China. The port serves as the only oceanic port of Iran and consists of two separate ports named Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari. This port is very important for Iran as well as for India. If this route is opened then India will no longer need to seek help of the Pakistan to reach Afghanistan via road and sea route. This agreement was signed by Transportation Minister of India Mr. Nitin Gadkari and Iranian Minister Abbas Ahamad.
- Trade: It is being considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by the three countries with other Central Asian countries in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to India.
- Security: China is aggressively pursuing its own Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) under the One Belt One Road (OBOR) project. The port can also act as a counter to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which is being developed with Chinese investment.
- Connectivity: In future, the Chabahar project and the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) will complement each other by optimizing Indian connectivity with Russia and Eurasia.
BACKGROUND OF THE CHABAHAR PORT
India started interacting with Iran on Chabahar Port around the year 2003. However the major push was received in the second half of 2014, leading to the signing of an MoU between Iran and India for the development of Chabahar Port in May 2015.This MoU translated into a formal 10-year Contract for Equipping and Operating the Chabahar Port. A trilateral transit agreement was also signed in May 2016 between India, Iran and Afghanistan on Establishment of International Transport and Transit Corridor. India in October 2017 sent its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan through Iran’s Chabahar port. Since there were challenges in activation of the 10-year contract, the foundation of an interim period contract was laid during the visit of President of Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani to New Delhi in February 2018. Resultantly, a formal short term Contract was signed in May 2018.
IMPORTANCE OF IRAN FOR INDIA
Geo-strategic Outreach: India views Iran as key to access land-locked Afghanistan and Central Asia through Chabahar Port. Iran’s geographical position is paramount to India’s geopolitical outreach, especially to Central Asia, a rich reservoir of natural resources. Similarly, Iran is vital for India’s access to Afghanistan in which India has immense strategic and security interests. Further, India has been developing the Chabahar port in a bid to bypass the impediments placed by Pakistan in the way of its attempts to trade with Afghanistan.
Energy Security: Iran, one of the richest countries in hydrocarbons and India, a rapidly growing economy with a deep thirst for energy - make them natural partners.
Reasons for Tussle in India-Iran Relationship: India cancelling oil imports from Iran due to US sanctions.
- Slow progress in Chabahar port.
- Tussle over Farzad-B Gas Field.
- Iranian comments on Kashmir over the past few years.
Security Concerns Emanating From Afghanistan: Visit comes amidst rapid developments in Afghanistan, with the US completing the pull-out of troops and the Taliban increasing its attacks on Afghan cities. The rapid advance of Taliban concerns both India and Iran. Given this context, and common interests, it is necessary for India and Iran to cooperate more closely, particularly on Afghanistan.
Associated Challenges: India’s Exclusion in Afgan Peace Process: Another “Troika plus” meeting, the U.S.-Russia-China-Pakistan grouping on Afghanistan peace process, is going to be held in Doha. However, India and Iran, which are two regional powers, are being left out.
CONCERNS FOR INDIA
- Iran’s growing proximity to China. Further, Iran seems to be sceptical of India’s diplomatic ties with the USA.
- Farzad-B gas Field: India needs gas and Iran remains one of the best options as geographically, Iran is closest to India of all the countries in the Persian gulf region. Further, it could have improved India-Iran ties as the crude oil import from Iran remains impacted due to the USA sanctions. Chabahar is not only a key to maritime relations between both the countries, but also provides an opportunity to India to reach Russia and Central Asia. Further, it allows India to bypass Pakistan which had blocked Indian aid to Afghanistan and all trade over land.
EBRAHIM RAISI ELECTED AS IRAN'S NEW PRESIDENT
Ultra-conservative cleric and judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi was inaugurated as Iran's eighth president on August 3, 2021. Ebrahim Raisi said in his inauguration speech that his new government will seek to lift the “oppressive US sanctions, but would not tie the nation's standard of living to the will of foreigners". Ebrahim Raisi replaces moderate President Hassan Rouhani who was not allowed the run for a third consecutive term by the Iranian constitution. He congratulated the people for their choice after Raisi's win.
TOP CHALLENGES BEFORE EBRAHIM RAISI
Ebrahim Raisi will have to tackle the challenge of reviving the 2015 nuclear agreement from which the United States had withdrawn and then imposed sweeping sanctions on the nation. The landmark agreement had been reached under moderate president Hassan Rouhani's term. The agreement was signed between Iran and six major powers. He also faces warnings from the US, Britain and Israel to Iran over a deadly tanker attack last week for which Iran denies responsibility. Iran is also facing economic challenges, which has been further impacted by the US Sanctions. This would be the new president's top challenge.
FIRST IRANIAN PRESIDENT TO FACE US SANCTIONS
Ebrahim Raisi has become the first Iranian president to be sanctioned by the United States even before assuming office as he was designated in 2019.
The United States blacklisted Ebrahim Raisi in 2019 for his role in the:
-Mass execution of political prisoners in 1988.
-Crackdown on the 2009 Green Movement protests.
-Administration of oversight over the executions of individuals who were juveniles at the time of their crime.
ABOUT EBRAHIM RAISI
Ebrahim Raisi grew up in the northeastern city of Mashhad, which is an important religious centre for Shia Muslims where Imam Reza, the eighth Shia religious leader, is buried. He has studied under some of Iran's most prominent Muslim scholars, including Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei. He initially served as the prosecutor for several jurisdictions, then he moved to Tehran in 1985 after being appointed deputy prosecutor. He then moved up the ranks in the judicial system in March 2016 and was appointed by the supreme leader as the custodian of the Astan-e Quds Razavi, which is the influential shrine of Imam Reza. He had run for presidential elections against Rouhani in 2017 as well but he had garnered just 38 percent of the vote then.
TEST YOURSELF
Q.1 Consider the given statements & state which of the following is/are correct in the reference to the Strategic importance Chabahar Port?
- It is located in the Indian Ocean in the Sistan province of Iraq.
- The Chabahar port is considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Israel and Pakistan with central Asian countries.
- Chabahar Port provides an option of alternate supply route to everyone, thus reducing the importance of Pakistan with respect to trade: ANSWER
- None of the above
Q.2 Which of the following political leaders of Iran became the new President of Iran?
- Ebrahim Raisi: ANSWER
- Hassan Rouhani
- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
- Mohammad Khatami
Q.3 The newly sworn in President has become the first Iranian president to be sanctioned by the United States even before assuming office as he was designated in 2019 for his role in the?
- Mass execution of political prisoners in 1988.
- Crackdown on the 2009 Green Movement protests.
- Administration of oversight over the executions of individuals who were juveniles at the time of their crime.
- All of the above: ANSWER
Q.4 Which of the following ports is a seaport located in Gulf of Oman, Iran & strategically important for India as well?
- Gwadar Port
- Hambantota Port
- Chabahar Port: ANSWER
- Trincomalee Port
Q.5 Which of the following statements is/are incorrect about the advantages of the Chabahar Port?
- Port plays an important role for Iran as well as for India.
- India will be able to reach Afghanistan directly
- It will act as a counter to Pakistan's Gwadar Port.
- None of the above: ANSWER
