India-Afghanistan-Iran meet to take Chabahar agreement further

A trilateral meeting of transport ministers of India, Iran and Afghanistan on Thursday decided to push forward with the International Transport and Transit Corridor project that will connect landlocked Afghanistan to the Iranian port of Chabahar and further to India through sea routes.

India's minister of road transport and highways and shipping Nitin Gadkari on Thursday held discussions with minister of transport and civil aviation of Afghanistan, Mohammadullah Batash and minister of road and urban development of Iran, Abbas Ahmed Akhoundi in New Delhi on the trilateral agreement on development of the Chabahar port and special economic zone.

The three countries had, on 23 May 2016, signed an agreement on developing the Chabahar port as a hub port for regional connectivity.

At Thursday's meeting the ministers reiterated the importance of Chabahar as a hub for regional connectivity and their commitment to work towards this objective. It was decided to organize a connectivity event involving all stakeholders at Chabahar within two months to increase awareness about the new opportunities offered by Chabahar Port.

It was decided to evolve protocols related to transport and transit, ports, customs procedures and consular affairs. It was also decided to convene an expert level meeting of senior officials of the three countries within one month in Chabahar.

The ministers expressed satisfaction that the three countries are taking prompt measures for completing internal processes for the ratification of the agreement. They also exchanged views on the next steps to be taken for an early implementation of the Agreement.

Development of Ports, Road and Rail connectivity will open up new opportunities leading to new jobs and prosperity in all three countries. Trade is recognized as driving economic growth and development, the implementation of the agreement would provide the eco-system for the private sector to seize the business opportunities emerging due to substantial reduction of logistic costs for trade among the three countries.