India to work towards unlocking trade potential with Central Asia through Chabahar Port: Union Shipping Minister

On the occasion of ‘Chabahar Day’, Union Ports, Shipping & Waterways Ministry along with the Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL) which was formed to participate in Shahid Behesthi Port at Chabahar development project, organized a conference in Mumbai on Sunday, where the Union Minister Shri Sonowal and the Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Tourism Shripad Yesso Naik interacted with the high level diplomatic delegation from Central Asian Countries.

Sonowal also said, “Our vision is to make Chabahar Port a transit hub under the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to reach out to CIS countries”.

“Chabahar Day” is celebrated to mark the beginning of INSTC - an Indian vision to economize movement of cargo between India and Central Asia.

The Chabahar Port located in Iran is the commercial transit centre for the region and especially Central Asia.

The high level diplomatic delegation present on the occasion included Nurlan Zhalgasbayev, Ambassador, Republic of Kazakhstan;  Asein Isaev, Ambassador, Kyrgyzstan;Lukmon Bobokalonzoda, Ambassador Tajikistan;  Shalar Geldynazarov Amassador, Turkmenistan, Dilshod Akhatov, Ambassador, Uzbekistan, Jalil Eslami, Deputy of Port and Economic Affairs of PMO; Zakia Wardak, Consul General (CG), Afghanistan; A M Alikhani, Consul General, Islamic Republic of Iran and His Excellency Masoud Ostad Hossein.  

Rajeev Jalota, Chairman, Indian Ports Association, JP Singh, Joint Secretary (PAI), Ministry of External Affairs and Sunil Mukundan, MD, Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL) were also present among the dignitaries.

Speaking at the event, the Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister said, “The idea of INSTC via the vibrant Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar in Iran is an idea to connect the two markets using a multi modal logistical corridor”.

This will rationalise our logistics cost which will contribute towards the trade volume between the two regions, he said.

Thanking all the stakeholders’ who have shown active support for the development of the Chabahar Port, he said, through combined efforts, a point of connectivity enhancing trade and commerce among India and Central Asian countries has been successfully developed.

Sonowal further said, Chabahar Port links the rich Central Asian region with the South Asian markets. It has emerged as significant for trade, economic collaborations and connecting people between the two geographies.

Owing to the potential of the Central Asian markets, the India-led connectivity has provided a secure and commercially viable access to the Indian Ocean region for Central Asian countries.

This link will not only provide connectivity, but also drive investments further supporting our cultural and political ties, he added.

 It will additionally develop the transit and transport potential of the Central Asian Region and improve their logistic network, he added.  

Chabahar Port will lead to promoting a joint initiative to create a regional and international transport corridor over there, said the Minister. Further, the aim is to develop universally recognized international norms, good governance, rule of law and equality at Chabahar Port, said the Minister.

Sonowal also said that loading and unloading capacity of the Shahid Beheshthi Port at Chabhar which today stands 8.5 million tonnes, will be enhanced to 15 million tonnes on completion of the Phase I of the project.

Welcoming the Central Asian countries to use the services of Shahid Beheshti Port for facilitating their trade with India and other external markets,  Sonowal urged all stakeholders to provide suggestions on promoting Chabahar INSTC Link to further reduce the transportation time, open a shorter, faster and more reliable route from India to Central Asia and increase the feasibility of hassle-free trade between the two regions.

“I would like to take this opportunity to request all of you to take this message ahead to make your business community aware about the opportunity and potential that this route may unlock,” said Sonowal.

Shripad Yesso Naik said that, in the coming years, developments in the Shahid Beheshti Port will support the faster growth of business and raise standards of living in the region.

This infrastructural linkage would lead to expansion of trade and investment prospects in the region, he added.

“This trade meet will have to create opportunities through Shahid Beheshthi Port and help it grow more in the maritime sector,” Naik stated in the conference.

During the event, the delegates from the Central Asian countries highlighted how Chabahar link with INSTC can play a vital role in boosting EXIM trade in their regions and its potential to further boost development in the landlocked countries.

During the day-long event, several presentations & Govt to business sessions took place. Presentations & speeches were given by Chairman IPA, MD IPGL, FFFAI & Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India.