Iran drops India from Chabahar rail project

Iran drops India from Chabahar rail project

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and Iran bilateral ties; International Relations 

In News:  

• Iranian government has decided to proceed with the construction of Chabahar rail project on its own.  
• India and Iran had signed an agreement (before 4 years) to construct a rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border with Afghanistan. However, Iran dropped India citing delays from the Indian side in funding and starting the project. 

Do you know? 

• India wanted the railway line to be built as part of a trilateral agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan as an alternate trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia. 
• Iran’s announcement came after China finalised a massive 25-year, $400 billion strategic partnership deal with Iran, which could cloud India’s plans. 

About Chabahar Port 

• Located on the Makran coast 
• South-eastern coast of Iran 
• It is relatively underdeveloped free trade and industrial zone (compared to the sprawling port of Bandar Abbas further west) 
• It is located in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich Persian Gulf nation’s southern coast. 
• It lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from India’s western coast, bypassing Pakistan.