Editorial Analysis - 16th July
Act quickly : on Chabahar Project
Context
Iran has decided to drop India from a plan to build a rail link from the strategic Chabahar port to Zahedan on the Afghan border.
Background
- The railway project was being discussed between the Iranian Railways and the state-owned Indian Railways Construction Ltd (IRCON)
- It was meant to be part of India’s commitment to the trilateral agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan to build an alternate trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
- In May 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tehran to sign the Chabahar agreement with Iranian President Rouhani and Afghanistan President Ghani.
- At that time ,IRCON signed an MoU with the Iranian Rail Ministry to construct the Chabahar-Zahedan railway which will be extended to Zaranj across the border in Afghanistan.
- It was a “part of the transit and transportation corridor in trilateral agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan”.
- IRCON had promised to provide all services, superstructure work and financing for the project (around $1.6 billion).
- India’s Border Roads Organisation also helped build the 218 km Route 606 in Afghanistan, known otherwise as the Delaram-Zaranj highway, that cut road travel time between Afghanistan and Iran.
Source : The Financial Express
Issues
- India delayed funding and building the rail link from Chabahar to Zahedan.
- The delays were initially due to contract disagreements.
- India was also concerned that these works could attract U.S. sanctions.
- The U.S. had provided a sanctions waiver for the Chabahar port ,however some ambiguity remained over the rail line to Zahedan.
- It has been difficult to find equipment suppliers and partners due to worries they could be targeted by the U.S.
- Meanwhile, complicating matters further, Iran and China are close to finalising a 25-year, $400 billion Strategic Partnership which could include Chinese involvement in Chabahar’s duty free zone, an oil refinery nearby, and possibly a larger role in Chabahar port as well.
- Iran proposed a tie-up between the Chinese-run Pakistani port at Gwadar and Chabahar last year.
- It also offered interests to China in the Bandar-e-Jask port 350km away from Chabahar.
Significance of Chabahar Port
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The Delays and setbacks
- Chabahar will not be the first time delays in the completion of ambitious infrastructure projects undertaken by India in the region have inflicted setbacks on India’s strategic goals.
- From Nepal to Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Iran, Delhi has made commitments on building power projects, highways, railways, and other infrastructure.Each proceeds slowly or not at all.
- The Pancheshwar Dam project in Nepal, for instance, has been hanging fire since 1991.
- A still to be completed trilateral highway between India, Myanmar and Thailand has been overshadowed by a Chinese-built highway that has boosted China-Myanmar border trade.
- India’s better record in Sri Lanka is not without missed opportunities that were once again snapped up by China.
Road Ahead
- India has no choice but to find a more efficient way of getting around these difficulties.
- There is a need to expedite ongoing projects and regional agreements.
- Delhi has indicated that it continues to be part of the rail link project in Iran.
- If so, now is the time to get on with it, even if Iran’s much touted 25-year strategic partnership agreement with Beijing is not as imminent as Tehran makes it seem.
- The Chabahar project is important for India’s regional goals, and for its relations with Iran. That is reason enough to act quickly.
Source:
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/chabahar-port-act-quickly-6507681/
MCQs based on Editorial Analysis
Q.1 What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India? (PYQ 2017)
- India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.
- India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.
- India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
- Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.
Q.2 Consider the following statements :
- Chabahar Port opens up in Persian Gulf
- Strait of hormuz separates Persian gulf and Red Sea
Which of the statements given above is/are correct:
- 1 Only
- 2 Only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Mention your answers in the Comment section !
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