External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar initiated discussions in Iran by meeting with Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash. Their detailed and productive conversation focused on establishing a long-term cooperation framework for the strategically significant Chabahar port. Jaishankar also exchanged views on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) during the meeting.
Chabahar port, located in Iran's Sistan-Balochistan province, is a collaborative project between India and Iran aimed at enhancing connectivity and trade ties. India is actively supporting this project to facilitate regional trade, particularly improving connectivity to Afghanistan.
At a connectivity conference in Tashkent in 2021, Jaishankar highlighted the Chabahar port's role as a crucial regional transit hub, including its significance for Afghanistan. The port is also integral to the INSTC project, a 7,200-km-long multi-mode transport initiative involving India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe.
During his two-day visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian to discuss various key issues, including the evolving security situation in the Red Sea. The ministers will deliberate on bilateral, regional, and global matters, with a focus on enhancing regional connectivity through the Chabahar port.
The visit occurs against the backdrop of growing global concerns over Houthi militants targeting merchant vessels in the Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The situation has led to increased maritime security measures by the Indian Navy in critical sea lanes, including the North and Central Arabian Sea.
Jaishankar's engagement in Tehran follows Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra's visit in November, where he co-chaired a meeting of India-Iran Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani. The unfolding Red Sea situation has been a subject of discussion between Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, with India closely monitoring developments in the region.
(With Agency Inputs)
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