LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2723
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018
DEVELOPMENT OF CHABAHAR PORT
2723. SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the regions of India which are likely to get benefitted on account of development of Chabahar port;
(b) whether strategically and diplomatically, acquiring this port is important in view of the fact that China is also keen to get it;
(c) if so, the facts thereof;
(d) whether the Government has analysed the security concerns involved therein, especially since the port is close to Pakistan; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI M. J. AKBAR)
(a) to (e) Chabahar port's location on the south-eastern coast of Iran is expected to open up greater opportunities for promotion of trade and commerce, especially from the ports along India’s western coast, with Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond.
India's participation in the development of Chabahar Port will provide India an alternative and reliable access route into Afghanistan utilizing India’s earlier investment in Zaranj-Delaram road built in Afghanistan, and also a reliable and more direct sea-road
access route into Central Asian Region. Chabahar Port’s location at the Arabian Sea means that it would be able to skirt any challenges posed by developments in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
The development of Chabahar port is also important because of the denial of direct land route access for transit and trade between India and Afghanistan. In fact, the first shipment of wheat assistance to Afghanistan was realised though Chabahar port in November
2017. This has demonstrated that Chabahar port is a viable and secure alternative for promoting regional connectivity among India, Iran and Afghanistan.
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