Chabahar Port: The end of Gwadar?

[Yankee-stani]

Dr. Zafar Jaspal |

India, Iran, and Afghanistan have been laboring to establish a new transit route. The new transit route would link Afghanistan and Iran with India through Chabahar Port. The port would facilitate a landlocked Afghanistan and also open a trade route for Indian goods and products to Afghanistan and Central Asia. With the construction of a new transit route, India would not only bypass Pakistan but also realize its decades-old dream to encircle Pakistan.

Islamabad needs to initiate a productive and result-oriented negotiation process for enhancing it’s economic, political and diplomatic relations with Tehran

New Delhi has systematically cultivated its strategic and economic relations with Tehran since the beginning of the twenty-first century. India and Iran signed a defense pact in November 2003 and revised it in 2009.

Neither the United States nor other Western countries solicit India to honor United Nations Security Council directives or sanctions levied against Iran. New Delhi and Kabul signed the strategic partnership with the connivance of United States in 2011. Since then, Afghanistan and Pakistan bilateral relations have been deteriorating.

Read more: Modi revisits Iran ties

https://www.globalvillagespace.com/?bsa_pro_id=50&bsa_pro_url=1
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/?bsa_pro_id=55&bsa_pro_url=1
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/?bsa_pro_id=24&bsa_pro_url=1
Strategically, Chabahar port is very significant. It is located in the Sistan-Balochistan province near Strait of Hormuz and Pakistan’s Gwadar port in Balochistan. The Indians consider it as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia. In May 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India would invest $500m to develop and operate strategically important Iran’s Chabahar port.

New Delhi promised to invest in the Iranian railway for laying railway lines connecting Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Indeed, the new trade route would assist India to get a foothold in the region. The transformation in Global Politics and cementing the strategic partnership between India and United States has not obstructed the former relations with Iran.

The leadership rhetorical support for improving bilateral relations needs practical initiative(s) for sustainable cordial bilateral relations between the neighboring states

On August 6, 2017, the Indian Union minister for transport, highways, and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari announced that Chabahar port would be operationalised by 2018. He stated: “Civil construction work has started there. We have finalized tenders worth Rs3.8 billion for equipment out of Rs 6bn and once the port becomes operational it will become a growth engine.”

Read more: Tehran hits Delhi’s underbelly as Modi hugs Trump and Netanyahu

India built the 220-kilometre road in the Nimroz province of Afghanistan and now planning to extend this road to Chabahar. Interestingly, the Indian ruling elite is giving an impression that it would be able to develop the port within stipulated time. Whereas; Western manufacturers are shying away from supplying equipment for Chabahar port.

https://www.globalvillagespace.com/?bsa_pro_id=67&bsa_pro_url=1
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/?bsa_pro_id=45&bsa_pro_url=1
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/?bsa_pro_id=42&bsa_pro_url=1
They are afraid of the probability that the United States may reimpose sanctions on Iran. The Trump Administration has already expressed its concerns over the Iranian nuclear program. It gave an impression that it could quash the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action known commonly as the Iran deal or Iran nuclear deal.

The Iranians have confidence in the continuity of the Indian investment in Chabahar because even before the nuclear deal was reached, India was doing billions dollars trade with Iran

President Trump declared 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action “the worst deal ever negotiated”. It was reported in Foreign Policy (July 2017), “the president has assembled a special team of White House aides whose sole task is to figure out a way to claim that Iran is violating the deal.” The termination of the deal would automatically reimpose sanctions against Iran.

Read more: Pakistan must outline and work to achieve its own future for…

The Iranians have confidence in the continuity of the Indian investment in Chabahar because even before the nuclear deal was reached, India was doing billions dollars trade with Iran. Ironically, Washington did not compel New Delhi to oblige the United Nations Security Council sanction imposed against Iran. However, Washington indirectly hindered the construction of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.

The trends in the regional politics underscore that the deepening relations among India, Afghanistan, and Iran are not in the interest of Pakistan. Admittedly, it’s difficult for Islamabad to normalize its bilateral relations with India. Nevertheless, Islamabad could engage positively Kabul and further improve its bilateral relations with Tehran.

https://www.globalvillagespace.com/?bsa_pro_id=50&bsa_pro_url=1
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/?bsa_pro_id=55&bsa_pro_url=1
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/?bsa_pro_id=24&bsa_pro_url=1
Pakistani traders could benefit from the Iranian market by supplying rice, wheat, citrus, sugar, soybean, etc

Hence, Islamabad revisits its trade policy with neighboring countries. For instance, Iran is a big market for Pakistani agriculture products. Pakistani traders could benefit from the Iranian market by supplying rice, wheat, citrus, sugar, soybean, etc.

Read more: The Iranian threat: How can Pakistan safeguard its interests?

Islamabad needs to engage Iran constructively to defy India’s isolating strategy. The encouraging factor is that many people in both Iran and Pakistan have been stressing that the Gwadar and Chabahar ports should not be seen as rivals. The government of Pakistan is exploring the opportunities to developing links between Chabahar and Gwadar.

In May 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India would invest $500m to develop and operate strategically important Iran’s Chabahar port

On August 7, 2017, during a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani reiterated that Iran and Pakistan were strategically important to one another. He stated: “Pakistan will spare no effort to promote relations with Iran.” The leadership rhetorical support for improving bilateral relations needs practical initiative(s) for sustainable cordial bilateral relations between the neighboring states.

To conclude, constructing a new transit route through Chabahar port is an attempt by India to bypass Pakistan and also undermine China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Therefore, Islamabad needs to initiate a productive and result-oriented negotiation process for enhancing it’s economic, political and diplomatic relations with Tehran.

https://www.globalvillagespace.com/?bsa_pro_id=42&bsa_pro_url=1
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/?bsa_pro_id=45&bsa_pro_url=1
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/?bsa_pro_id=67&bsa_pro_url=1
Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal is Associate Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He is also an advisor on Non-Proliferation to SASSI, London and a course coordinator at Foreign Services Academy for the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Email: jaspal_99@hotmail.com. This piece was first published in Pakistan Observer. It has been reprinted with permission. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy.

 

[Cash GK]

Dr. Zafar Jaspal |

India, Iran, and Afghanistan have been laboring to establish a new transit route. The new transit route would link Afghanistan and Iran with India through Chabahar Port. The port would facilitate a landlocked Afghanistan and also open a trade route for Indian goods and products to Afghanistan and Central Asia. With the construction of a new transit route, India would not only bypass Pakistan but also realize its decades-old dream to encircle Pakistan.

Islamabad needs to initiate a productive and result-oriented negotiation process for enhancing it’s economic, political and diplomatic relations with Tehran

New Delhi has systematically cultivated its strategic and economic relations with Tehran since the beginning of the twenty-first century. India and Iran signed a defense pact in November 2003 and revised it in 2009.

Neither the United States nor other Western countries solicit India to honor United Nations Security Council directives or sanctions levied against Iran. New Delhi and Kabul signed the strategic partnership with the connivance of United States in 2011. Since then, Afghanistan and Pakistan bilateral relations have been deteriorating.

Read more: Modi revisits Iran ties

Strategically, Chabahar port is very significant. It is located in the Sistan-Balochistan province near Strait of Hormuz and Pakistan’s Gwadar port in Balochistan. The Indians consider it as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia. In May 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India would invest $500m to develop and operate strategically important Iran’s Chabahar port.

New Delhi promised to invest in the Iranian railway for laying railway lines connecting Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Indeed, the new trade route would assist India to get a foothold in the region. The transformation in Global Politics and cementing the strategic partnership between India and United States has not obstructed the former relations with Iran.

The leadership rhetorical support for improving bilateral relations needs practical initiative(s) for sustainable cordial bilateral relations between the neighboring states

On August 6, 2017, the Indian Union minister for transport, highways, and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari announced that Chabahar port would be operationalised by 2018. He stated: “Civil construction work has started there. We have finalized tenders worth Rs3.8 billion for equipment out of Rs 6bn and once the port becomes operational it will become a growth engine.”

Read more: Tehran hits Delhi’s underbelly as Modi hugs Trump and Netanyahu

India built the 220-kilometre road in the Nimroz province of Afghanistan and now planning to extend this road to Chabahar. Interestingly, the Indian ruling elite is giving an impression that it would be able to develop the port within stipulated time. Whereas; Western manufacturers are shying away from supplying equipment for Chabahar port.

They are afraid of the probability that the United States may reimpose sanctions on Iran. The Trump Administration has already expressed its concerns over the Iranian nuclear program. It gave an impression that it could quash the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action known commonly as the Iran deal or Iran nuclear deal.

The Iranians have confidence in the continuity of the Indian investment in Chabahar because even before the nuclear deal was reached, India was doing billions dollars trade with Iran

President Trump declared 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action “the worst deal ever negotiated”. It was reported in Foreign Policy (July 2017), “the president has assembled a special team of White House aides whose sole task is to figure out a way to claim that Iran is violating the deal.” The termination of the deal would automatically reimpose sanctions against Iran.

Read more: Pakistan must outline and work to achieve its own future for…

The Iranians have confidence in the continuity of the Indian investment in Chabahar because even before the nuclear deal was reached, India was doing billions dollars trade with Iran. Ironically, Washington did not compel New Delhi to oblige the United Nations Security Council sanction imposed against Iran. However, Washington indirectly hindered the construction of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.

The trends in the regional politics underscore that the deepening relations among India, Afghanistan, and Iran are not in the interest of Pakistan. Admittedly, it’s difficult for Islamabad to normalize its bilateral relations with India. Nevertheless, Islamabad could engage positively Kabul and further improve its bilateral relations with Tehran.

Pakistani traders could benefit from the Iranian market by supplying rice, wheat, citrus, sugar, soybean, etc

Hence, Islamabad revisits its trade policy with neighboring countries. For instance, Iran is a big market for Pakistani agriculture products. Pakistani traders could benefit from the Iranian market by supplying rice, wheat, citrus, sugar, soybean, etc.

Read more: The Iranian threat: How can Pakistan safeguard its interests?

Islamabad needs to engage Iran constructively to defy India’s isolating strategy. The encouraging factor is that many people in both Iran and Pakistan have been stressing that the Gwadar and Chabahar ports should not be seen as rivals. The government of Pakistan is exploring the opportunities to developing links between Chabahar and Gwadar.

In May 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India would invest $500m to develop and operate strategically important Iran’s Chabahar port

On August 7, 2017, during a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani reiterated that Iran and Pakistan were strategically important to one another. He stated: “Pakistan will spare no effort to promote relations with Iran.” The leadership rhetorical support for improving bilateral relations needs practical initiative(s) for sustainable cordial bilateral relations between the neighboring states.

To conclude, constructing a new transit route through Chabahar port is an attempt by India to bypass Pakistan and also undermine China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Therefore, Islamabad needs to initiate a productive and result-oriented negotiation process for enhancing it’s economic, political and diplomatic relations with Tehran.

Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal is Associate Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He is also an advisor on Non-Proliferation to SASSI, London and a course coordinator at Foreign Services Academy for the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Email: jaspal_99@hotmail.com. This piece was first published in Pakistan Observer. It has been reprinted with permission. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy.

where will they pass by...

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

Pak's best bet about Chahbahar that it's Bazari vs Bazari...

 

[Menace2Society]

How much to insure the goods transit through afghanistan? This is a non starter

 

[Aryan0395]

i guess the article isn't updated. India has already formally taken control of the port last week, shipments have already started and soon more traffic will follow.
Now about security of transport in Afghanistan, for that India needs to proactively engage in talks with Taliban, with US pulling out threat increases, making peace process even more important for us. No longer can we focus on just development projects. We need to engage in local political scenario as well now if want to insure safety of our goods.

 

[newb3e]

i guess the article isn't updated. India has already formally taken control of the port last week, shipments have already started and soon more traffic will follow.
Now about security of transport in Afghanistan, for that India needs to proactively engage in talks with Taliban, with US pulling out threat increases, making peace process even more important for us. No longer can we focus on just development projects. We need to engage in local political scenario as well now if want to insure safety of our goods.

id suggest deploying your army in afg to secure the route!

 

[AMG_12]

Gwadar is more China centric, developed to be integrated into the land component of Silk Road. Just 5% of China's overall trade through gwadar can do wonders for Pakistan in general and Gwadar in specific. Musharaf plan for Gwadar was more CAR specific.

 

[nahtanbob]

Dr. Zafar Jaspal |

India, Iran, and Afghanistan have been laboring to establish a new transit route. The new transit route would link Afghanistan and Iran with India through Chabahar Port. The port would facilitate a landlocked Afghanistan and also open a trade route for Indian goods and products to Afghanistan and Central Asia. With the construction of a new transit route, India would not only bypass Pakistan but also realize its decades-old dream to encircle Pakistan.

Islamabad needs to initiate a productive and result-oriented negotiation process for enhancing it’s economic, political and diplomatic relations with Tehran

New Delhi has systematically cultivated its strategic and economic relations with Tehran since the beginning of the twenty-first century. India and Iran signed a defense pact in November 2003 and revised it in 2009.

Neither the United States nor other Western countries solicit India to honor United Nations Security Council directives or sanctions levied against Iran. New Delhi and Kabul signed the strategic partnership with the connivance of United States in 2011. Since then, Afghanistan and Pakistan bilateral relations have been deteriorating.

Read more: Modi revisits Iran ties

Strategically, Chabahar port is very significant. It is located in the Sistan-Balochistan province near Strait of Hormuz and Pakistan’s Gwadar port in Balochistan. The Indians consider it as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia. In May 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India would invest $500m to develop and operate strategically important Iran’s Chabahar port.

New Delhi promised to invest in the Iranian railway for laying railway lines connecting Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Indeed, the new trade route would assist India to get a foothold in the region. The transformation in Global Politics and cementing the strategic partnership between India and United States has not obstructed the former relations with Iran.

The leadership rhetorical support for improving bilateral relations needs practical initiative(s) for sustainable cordial bilateral relations between the neighboring states

On August 6, 2017, the Indian Union minister for transport, highways, and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari announced that Chabahar port would be operationalised by 2018. He stated: “Civil construction work has started there. We have finalized tenders worth Rs3.8 billion for equipment out of Rs 6bn and once the port becomes operational it will become a growth engine.”

Read more: Tehran hits Delhi’s underbelly as Modi hugs Trump and Netanyahu

India built the 220-kilometre road in the Nimroz province of Afghanistan and now planning to extend this road to Chabahar. Interestingly, the Indian ruling elite is giving an impression that it would be able to develop the port within stipulated time. Whereas; Western manufacturers are shying away from supplying equipment for Chabahar port.

They are afraid of the probability that the United States may reimpose sanctions on Iran. The Trump Administration has already expressed its concerns over the Iranian nuclear program. It gave an impression that it could quash the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action known commonly as the Iran deal or Iran nuclear deal.

The Iranians have confidence in the continuity of the Indian investment in Chabahar because even before the nuclear deal was reached, India was doing billions dollars trade with Iran

President Trump declared 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action “the worst deal ever negotiated”. It was reported in Foreign Policy (July 2017), “the president has assembled a special team of White House aides whose sole task is to figure out a way to claim that Iran is violating the deal.” The termination of the deal would automatically reimpose sanctions against Iran.

Read more: Pakistan must outline and work to achieve its own future for…

The Iranians have confidence in the continuity of the Indian investment in Chabahar because even before the nuclear deal was reached, India was doing billions dollars trade with Iran. Ironically, Washington did not compel New Delhi to oblige the United Nations Security Council sanction imposed against Iran. However, Washington indirectly hindered the construction of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.

The trends in the regional politics underscore that the deepening relations among India, Afghanistan, and Iran are not in the interest of Pakistan. Admittedly, it’s difficult for Islamabad to normalize its bilateral relations with India. Nevertheless, Islamabad could engage positively Kabul and further improve its bilateral relations with Tehran.

Pakistani traders could benefit from the Iranian market by supplying rice, wheat, citrus, sugar, soybean, etc

Hence, Islamabad revisits its trade policy with neighboring countries. For instance, Iran is a big market for Pakistani agriculture products. Pakistani traders could benefit from the Iranian market by supplying rice, wheat, citrus, sugar, soybean, etc.

Read more: The Iranian threat: How can Pakistan safeguard its interests?

Islamabad needs to engage Iran constructively to defy India’s isolating strategy. The encouraging factor is that many people in both Iran and Pakistan have been stressing that the Gwadar and Chabahar ports should not be seen as rivals. The government of Pakistan is exploring the opportunities to developing links between Chabahar and Gwadar.

In May 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India would invest $500m to develop and operate strategically important Iran’s Chabahar port

On August 7, 2017, during a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani reiterated that Iran and Pakistan were strategically important to one another. He stated: “Pakistan will spare no effort to promote relations with Iran.” The leadership rhetorical support for improving bilateral relations needs practical initiative(s) for sustainable cordial bilateral relations between the neighboring states.

To conclude, constructing a new transit route through Chabahar port is an attempt by India to bypass Pakistan and also undermine China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Therefore, Islamabad needs to initiate a productive and result-oriented negotiation process for enhancing it’s economic, political and diplomatic relations with Tehran.

Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal is Associate Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He is also an advisor on Non-Proliferation to SASSI, London and a course coordinator at Foreign Services Academy for the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Email: jaspal_99@hotmail.com. This piece was first published in Pakistan Observer. It has been reprinted with permission. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy.

gwadar is for transport of chinese goods to/from Middle East and Africa
chahbahar is for transport of indian goods to Afghanistan

i never understood the connection

 

[Placemat]

These are for 2 different purposes and doesn't mean anything from gwadar perspective. Frankly I don't know what India is going to gain from CHB because we don't have the muscle to run it without profit unlike China in Gwadar. Also given Iran's bad relation with US Israel and Arabs not sure if India has any wherewithal to achieve anything.

 

[maithil]

gwadar is for transport of chinese goods to/from Middle East and Africa
chahbahar is for transport of indian goods to Afghanistan

i never understood the connection

Anything and Everything in the world ( which does not involve China) is a threat to CPEC.

OT : Very shoddily researched and written article.

 

[jupiter2007]

Pakistan need to 2 to 3 more port cities just Incase of Karachi blockade.

 

[Safriz]

Iran should be classed as an enemy country same as India.

 

[Canuck786]

Isn't Gwadar a deep sea port. Is Chabahar also a deep sea port.

 

[Arulmozhi Varman]

There is no comparison. Chabahar is exclusively an port for route through Iran and it has US blessings. Chabahar development has been left out of US sanctions as US sees that as an alternative in case of Pakistan blocking that route or Taliban blocking that route in Afghanistan. Third countries will find it tough to do business using that port with Iran. There will no insurance cover. However third countries can use that port to do business with Afghanistan if in case Afghan ores are exported.
WHile Gwadar isnt under any sanctions. Its exclusively meant for the Chinese and any third country can use that port.

 

[Arsalan 345]

recent irainian officials meeting with taliban is about chahbahar.india have concerns and seriously if pakistan really want to isolate india,it should do everything to cease all trucks inside afghanistan.the writer here is talking about the isolation of pakistan.i think the biggest isolation for india is coming soon and it's the withdrawal of american forces.although pentagon denied any withdrawal some hours ago,it's not far.there is no future for corridors inside afghanistan and you can't operate without taliban in afghanistan.currently iran is working as a satellite state for india.hey have their own interests.also iran knows limits.iran will never allow india to convert this port into a military port even in war time but for gwadar,it can happen.so disadvantage india.indian supplies will be burned before it reaches vishakapatnam and bombay port.bad time for india.i hope pakistan will do everything to persuade taliban to blow every indian truck on their land.it's time for indian isolation.