sanctions regime has not just delayed the project since the early 2000s but has also been stifling its growth . It is going to take a few years for Chabahar
held discussions with Swaraj on issues of mutual interest , including the situation in Afghanistan , the development of Chabahar port , cooperation in various fields and regional and international issues . Regarding the ongoing US-Iran tensions , India made its stand clear that any decision on oil purchase from Iran will have to wait for the new Government in Delhi . But here , we will focus on issues concerning the implementation of the Chabahar port project — those as a result of the latest round of sanctions , though the port is out of the immediate purview of bans , and in general .
To clear the air , the purpose of the Chabahar port to be developed by India is entirely different from the Gwadar port in Pakistan being developed by
China . The Chabahar is strictly an economic project and not a not a strategic-military one . On the other hand , China does not need Gwadar to trade with Central Asia or Russia — it has shorter land routes to conduct business . Moreover , the “ String of Pearls ” theory on potential Chinese intentions in the Indian Ocean Region isn ’ t taken seriously by either the bureaucracy or in think-tank circles . It is seen as an American attempt to sow India-China tensions and the term itself is coined in a US Army War College paper .
Though the Chabahar project is a potential game-changer as it offers a getaway to Central Asia and Europe but as of now , its potential remains largely untapped . Additionally , the US
This writer spoke to Behrooz Aghaei , ports and maritime director general of Sistan and Baluchistan province . Chabahar port comes under his jurisdiction .
to register success and it is , perhaps , too early to sing paeans about it . To cite an example , the ambitious plan suffered a blow with manufacturers shying away from supplying essential equipment like cranes and forklifts for the construction of the Iranian port even when US sanctions had not kicked in late last year . Indian promises to delivery ratio , too , have been dismal during this Government ’ s tenure . Further , while greater funds were promised , much smaller amounts have been released .
This writer spoke to Mohsen Shariatinia , an assistant professor of regional studies at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran , when he said that the “ Chabahar is a mega project but it ’ s too early to judge
www . legacyindia . in June 2019 | Legacy India 13