Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Monday described the Chabahar Port project as a powerful symbol of the strong partnership between India and Iran, underscoring its critical role in advancing shared development goals and enhancing regional connectivity.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the Iranian Embassy in India on the occasion of Iran’s National Day, Ambassador Fathali said bilateral relations between the two countries are deeply rooted in thousands of years of shared history, civilisation and cultural ties.
“Relations between Iran and India are rooted in thousands of years of shared history and civilisation and based on common culture,” the envoy said. “This rich heritage is a valuable asset for expanding bilateral cooperation. The Chabahar Port project, as a symbol of the cooperation between our two countries, plays an important role in common development and regional connectivity.”
India was represented at the event by Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George, who attended as the Chief Guest. He conveyed warm congratulations to the Government and people of Iran and reaffirmed India’s enduring commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
“Secretary (West) Sibi George represented India as the Chief Guest at the Iranian National Day reception hosted by @Iran_in_India. He conveyed warm congratulations to the Government and people of Iran and reaffirmed India’s enduring commitment to bilateral ties,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X.
India first proposed the development of the Chabahar Port in 2003, viewing it as a strategic gateway to provide an alternative route for Indian goods to access landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia. The port is a key component of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), enabling road and rail connectivity while bypassing Pakistan. Progress on the project had faced delays in the past due to US sanctions imposed on Iran over its suspected nuclear programme.
To operationalise India’s role at the port, a long-term agreement was signed between Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) and the Port & Maritime Organisation of Iran. This agreement replaced the initial 2016 pact governing India’s operations at the Shahid Beheshti terminal of Chabahar Port, which had previously been extended on an annual basis.
In recent years, the port has been used for several strategic and humanitarian consignments. In 2023, Chabahar facilitated the shipment of 20,000 tonnes of wheat assistance from India to Afghanistan. Earlier, in 2021, the port was also utilised for the export of environmentally friendly pesticides from India to Iran.
The renewed focus on Chabahar highlights its growing importance as a hub for regional trade, connectivity and cooperation, reinforcing India–Iran ties amid evolving geopolitical and economic dynamics.
