Iran, India, Afghanistan Sign MoU to Expand Cooperation on Chabahar Port

Iran, India, and Afghanistan signed a 9 article MoU on Monday, on the sideline of the the first executive committee of Chabahar agreement.

Deputy Head of Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization Mohammad Ali Hassanzadeh broke the news, adding that the next edition of the committee will be held in India.

The committee aimed at finalizing the protocol to harmonize transit, roads, customs and consular matters for making the route attractive and decrease logistic costs.

Reportedly, detailed discussions were held between the three sides on drawing the necessary provisions for the full operation of the agreement. Further details are yet to be revealed.

In a related front, Earlier on October 12, Senior Iranian and Indian trade officials held a meeting in New Delhi to review ways to bolster bilateral relations, specially development of Chabahar port.

During the meeting in the Indian capital, Iranian Road and Urban Development Minister Mohammad Rastad and senior officials from India’s Ministry of Shipping and Ports Association explored avenues for bolstering and reinvigorating mutual cooperation, in particular the development of Chabahar port.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the development of Chabahar Port as well as the time and conditions of implementing the main contract.

The Indian company, IPGL, has been tasked with administering and running the terminal of the first phase of ‘Beheshti harbor’ at Chabahar port as a mere operator.

Supplying the equipment for development of the port by the Indian company was also on the meeting’s agenda.

During his two-day stay, Rastad visited Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT Port), a strategic Indian trade hub, and conferred with related officials on boosting ties between the JNPT Port and Chabahar Port.

Chabahar is the closest and best access point of Iran to the Indian Ocean. In May 2016, Iran and India signed a deal to equip and operate containers and multi-purpose terminals at Shahid Beheshti port in Chabahar with the capital investment of $85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of $ 22.95 million on a 10-year lease.

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