Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed optimism on 30 August in the negotiations with India surrounding the continued development of southeastern Iran’s Chabahar port.
The foreign minister said he hopes the agreement’s final draft will be accepted and signed between both countries soon.
“India has a significant place in Iran’s policy of orientation to the East,” Amir-Abdollahian said. He added that the swift implementation of joint projects between New Delhi and Tehran will benefit both countries.
Amir-Abdollahian also expressed Iran’s appreciation for India’s support in its accession to BRICS. Iran is one of six countries to receive invitations last week to join the increasingly influential economic bloc led by Russia and China.
India built the Chabahar port under a previously agreed-upon contract requiring annual renewal. However, the two sides are now negotiating a new 10-year agreement, which will automatically extend, allowing India to make longer-term investments in the port.
As part of the negotiations, the two countries agreed not to seek commercial foreign arbitration for disputes between users and operators at the port.
In a press conference on 17 March, the Iranian Ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, stated, “The core concept of cooperation between Iran and India in Chabahar has three elements – construction of ports, its connection with the main railway network of Iran and sending cargo through Chabahar.”
Elahi further elaborated that Iran chose to cooperate with India on the port to win a part of India’s maritime trade business and benefit from Indian engineering expertise.
“Our expectation was that as India sends its cargo through Chabahar port, its sailors and engineers will provide experience and knowledge on the expansion of ports, which we could teach to our own people.”
Chabahar is seen as India’s gateway to Central Asian markets. Shipping goods through Chabahar allows India to access the North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) while avoiding transit through its long-time rival Pakistan.
India has opened its business to many countries, including Israel. The Central Asian country has accepted the legitimacy of the state of Israel since 1950.
A document released by India’s foreign ministry titled India-Israel Bilateral Relations states that significant cooperation exists between India and Israel, including in politics, the economy, defense, agriculture, education, and culture.
On 9 May, India and Israel signed an agreement to bring 42,000 Indian workers to Israel during talks to develop bilateral ties between the two countries further.
