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India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval interacted on telephone on 18 May 2025 with Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Secretary, Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Iran.
In this conversation, there was a discussion on further strengthening the Indo-Iran strategic relations. During this period, the Chabahar Port Project and the International North-South Transport Corridor (Instc) were emphasized.
India appreciated Iran’s ‘creative role’ in regional stability and expressed India’s interest in increasing cooperation on the Chabahar project. With this project, India can reach Central Asia directly by bypassing Pakistan.
Iranian secretary Ahmadian also emphasized the possibilities of political and economic cooperation. Also stated the need to pursue the Chabahar project rapidly for regional peace and stability.
Iran’s Security Secretary Akbar Ahmadian (left) and India’s NSA (right)
India is preparing to surround Pakistan
India’s conversation with Iran is considered part of the strategy to surround Pakistan. Especially in terms of recent India-Pakistan tension and India’s growing relations with Afghanistan. Pakistan sees Chabahar as its geopolitical siege.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar spoke to Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Mawalvi Aamir Khan Mottaki on the phone on Thursday, which was the first thing between India and the Taliban since 1999. Earlier, there was talk in the Indo-Taliban at the time of Kandahar aircraft kidnapping.
Chabahar will compete with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port
India in 2016 for the development of Chabahar Port of Iran at Rs 3,750 crore. Announced the investment of. India has supplied 6 mobile harbor cranes and other equipment at a cost of 187.5 crores.
Chabahar Port provides direct access to Afghanistan and Central Asia by bypassing Pakistan to Pakistan.
Chabahar is being seen as a strategic port of India as compared to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port. Gwadar is developing China under the Belt and Road Project. Chabahar Port will help to compete with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port.
Pakistan fears that it may be geopolitically isolated on the completion of this project. The wisdom strengthens the Indian Navy’s presence in the Western Indian Ocean and Persia’s Gulf.
What is Chabahar Port and why is it necessary for India
India wants to increase its business worldwide. Chabahar port can play an important role in this. India can trade directly with Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe with the help of this port. Iran and India had signed an agreement to prepare the Chabahar port in 2018.
Earlier, he had to pass through Pakistan to send any goods from India to Afghanistan. However, due to border dispute between the two countries, India was also looking for an option other than Pakistan. This is the best way to send Afghanistan goods since the development of Chabahar port.
India is also sending wheat to Afghanistan by this route. Apart from Afghanistan, this port will also open the way for India to Central Asian countries. Gas and oil from these countries can also be brought through this port.
Trump ends the exemption of Chabahar Port in restrictions
The Chabahar Port Project has been greatly affected due to America. The US has been threatening restrictions to create pressure on Iran. Earlier, companies investing due to sanctions on Iran made distance.
In 2018, in 2018, the US Chabahar Port Project agreed to keep out of sanctions, which helped India reach Afghanistan and Central Asia. However, in February 2025, President Trump ended the discount, which increased the risk of Indian companies to face sanctions.
India will access India to Central Asia and Russia-Europe
On 12 September 2000, India, Iran and Russia signed the INSTC deal in St. Petersburg. The 7,200 km long multi-model network corridor connects India, Iran, Central Asia, Russia and Europe via sea, rail and roadways.
Sending goods from this corridor, 40% and 30% cost is left compared to traditional routes. This corridor emerges as Iran transit hub.
