We can maximise use of Chabahar Port after Iran's SCO membership: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said the members of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation can work towards maximizing the utilization of the Chabahar Port following Iran's membership of the world's largest regional organization. "The International North-South Transport Corridor can serve as a secure and efficient route for landlocked countries in Central Asia to access the Indian Ocean. We should strive to realize its full potential," the prime minister said.
"Strong connectivity is crucial for the progress of any region. Better connectivity not only enhances mutual trade but also fosters mutual trust. However, in these efforts, it is essential to uphold the basic principles of the SCO charter, particularly respecting the sovereignty and regional integrity of the Member States," the release said.
The India prime minister was speaking through video conferencing on the occasion of 23rd SCO Summit today. The virtual summit was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other leaders of member countries. Chabahar Port is a seaport in the Sistan-Balochistan province of Iran, on the Gulf of Oman.
Its geographic proximity to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) gives it the potential to develop into one of the most important commercial hubs. $85 million port project, signed in May 2016, is one of the major focussed projects of India in Iran. The deal agreement aims to establish an International Transport and Transit Corridor in Chabahar.
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