The agreement signed by India and Iran for long-term operations at the strategic Chabahar port is a significant development, given the disruptions affecting global trade due to the instability in West Asia. Besides, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor announced at the G20 summit in Delhi last year will also benefit from the deal. The agreement marks a strategic shift, amplifying India’s cargo traffic to Central Asia tenfold. With China eyeing Indian Ocean dominance via ports like Gwadar in Pakistan and Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Chabahar’s development is expected to strengthen India’s position and prompt robust responses to potential threats. Given the project benefits of sharing in the port’s future, India has taken bold steps in pursuit of its interest and that of the region over US objections to dealing with Iran and also annoying China over countering its BRI project.
