The western Asian country of Iran has criticized India for not fulfilling its commitment to make investments in Chabahar port. The country has claimed that India had promised to invest in the expansion of the strategically located Chabahar port. Iran has also warned that New Delhi shall lose the special privileges if it cuts the import of Iranian Oil.
Massoud Rezvanian Rahaghi the Deputy Ambassador and Charge d’Affaires of Iran said that it will end the privileges that have been provided to India if it tries to source oil from the other countries like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Russia, the US and others to offset cuts in Iranian oil. Rezvanian Rahaghi said, “It is unfortunate that Indian investment promises for expansion of Chabahar port and its connectivity projects have not been accomplished so far. It is expected that India takes immediate necessary measures in this regard if its cooperation and engagement in Chabahar port is of strategic nature”.
The deputy ambassador was speaking at a seminar on emerging challenges and opportunities in the global diplomacy and its impact on bilateral ties with India. The Chabahar port has all the potential and is considered as a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Afghanistan and Iran with central Asian countries as Pakistan is denying transit access to New Delhi.
A pact was signed by India, Iran and Afghanistan in May 2016 that had mentioned about the establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries with the help of Chabahar port. The port was expected to be used as one of the regional hubs for the sea transportation in Iran along with multi-modal transport of goods as well as passengers across the three nations. Rahaghi has suggested that a regional meet forum must be set up at the Persian Gulf and West Asia to solve the regional crisis.
Photo Credits: Money Control
