India, Iran, Afghanistan sign Trilateral Agreement on Chabahar Port

Following the signing of 12 agreements between India and Iran earlier in the day, history was made, as three countries – India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement on Chabahar Port, which would give India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia via Iran, and not via Pakistan.

Talking about the trilateral Transport and Transit Agreement, Mr. Modi said, “It will open new routes for India, Iran and Afghanistan to connect among themselves”. “The 3-nation pact will strengthen our ability to stand in mutual support against those whose only motto is to maim and kill innocents,” he further added.

“As friends and neighbours, we have shared interest in each other’s growth and prosperity, and joys and sorrows”, said PM Modi. Iranian President Dr. Hassan Rouhani and Afghanistan President Dr. Ashraf Ghani were present at the ceremonial signing of the trilateral agreement.

Chabahar Port at Chah Bahar City in southeast Iran will allow India to bypass Pakistan to transport goods to Afghanistan and central Asia using a sea-land route. India will invest around $200 million in the first phase to develop terminals and cargo berths at Chabahar. In the next phase, India plans to build a 500-km railway line between Chabahar and Zahedan. In total, India will invest $300 million to develop Chabahar Port.