India is determined to establish a strong maritime presence and enhance trade connectivity by seeking opportunities to develop ports in strategically important locations, Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has said. The country aims to follow the successful model of Chabahar port in Iran, which was first proposed during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and apply similar principles to other ports in the region.
The government’s approach involves identifying ports that offer economic benefits and investing in the modernization and development of their infrastructure. “India aims to replicate the Chabahar model in other strategic locations by adhering to similar principles such as identifying ports in regions that offer economic advantages, investing in the modernisation and development of port infrastructure,” Sonowal told ET’s Twesh Mishra.
The Chabahar port project is viewed as India’s strategic response to the Chinese-developed Gwadar port in Pakistan, which is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The recently signed 10-year agreement between India and Iran allows India to procure, install, and operate essential equipment at Chabahar, making it the first overseas port to be operated by the country.
Sonowal emphasized the commercial and strategic significance of the long-term contract for India, highlighting that Chabahar provides a more direct and efficient route to Central Asia, reducing transportation time and costs. The port is expected to boost trade between India and Central Asian as well as West Asian countries, serving as a gateway for Indian goods and promoting economic integration by opening new markets for Indian businesses, particularly in landlocked regions.
Also Read | India signs 10-year Chabahar port pact with Iran; move to help counter Pakistan’s Gwadar port, China’s BRI
The government, under PM Narendra Modi, has placed a strong emphasis on infrastructure development, and the sector has undergone significant transformation, according to Sonowal.
India is currently implementing the Sagarmala port upgrade plan, valued at Rs 5.8 lakh crore, to modernize ports, enhance connectivity, and develop inland waterways. The initiative includes 839 projects, with 262 completed, 217 ongoing, and 360 in the development phase.
“Our ports have seen huge improvement in capacity, operation and efficiency during the last 10 years,” he said.
Sonowal recognized that regional tensions may impact Chabahar port’s operations, but measures can be taken to mitigate risks, such as enhancing port security and collaborating with regional partners to ensure safe and secure operations.
India will continue to engage diplomatically with regional stakeholders to manage tensions and promote stability. “We will be implementing comprehensive risk management strategies to anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions,” he said.
Sonowal added that Chabahar would complement the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) proposed by New Delhi at the G20 summit last year, offering alternative routes to stakeholders instead of the conventional Suez Canal course.
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Chabahar port’s strategic location reduces dependence on traditional transit points, and “by leveraging the infrastructure and logistical capabilities of Chabahar port, India can efficiently facilitate the flow of goods and materials, contributing to the success and viability of the IMEC project,” he said.
Regarding Sittwe port in Myanmar, Sonowal said that significant progress had been made in developing facilities, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) approving a proposal by India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) to take over operations at the Bay of Bengal port in April.
“Sittwe port is operational, with successful trial runs completed, handling cargo and verifying logistical capabilities. Significant progress has been made in developing port facilities, warehouses, and improving connectivity to the hinterland,” Sonowal added.
The government’s approach involves identifying ports that offer economic benefits and investing in the modernization and development of their infrastructure. “India aims to replicate the Chabahar model in other strategic locations by adhering to similar principles such as identifying ports in regions that offer economic advantages, investing in the modernisation and development of port infrastructure,” Sonowal told ET’s Twesh Mishra.
The Chabahar port project is viewed as India’s strategic response to the Chinese-developed Gwadar port in Pakistan, which is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The recently signed 10-year agreement between India and Iran allows India to procure, install, and operate essential equipment at Chabahar, making it the first overseas port to be operated by the country.
Sonowal emphasized the commercial and strategic significance of the long-term contract for India, highlighting that Chabahar provides a more direct and efficient route to Central Asia, reducing transportation time and costs. The port is expected to boost trade between India and Central Asian as well as West Asian countries, serving as a gateway for Indian goods and promoting economic integration by opening new markets for Indian businesses, particularly in landlocked regions.
Also Read | India signs 10-year Chabahar port pact with Iran; move to help counter Pakistan’s Gwadar port, China’s BRI
The government, under PM Narendra Modi, has placed a strong emphasis on infrastructure development, and the sector has undergone significant transformation, according to Sonowal.
India is currently implementing the Sagarmala port upgrade plan, valued at Rs 5.8 lakh crore, to modernize ports, enhance connectivity, and develop inland waterways. The initiative includes 839 projects, with 262 completed, 217 ongoing, and 360 in the development phase.
“Our ports have seen huge improvement in capacity, operation and efficiency during the last 10 years,” he said.
Sonowal recognized that regional tensions may impact Chabahar port’s operations, but measures can be taken to mitigate risks, such as enhancing port security and collaborating with regional partners to ensure safe and secure operations.
India will continue to engage diplomatically with regional stakeholders to manage tensions and promote stability. “We will be implementing comprehensive risk management strategies to anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions,” he said.
Sonowal added that Chabahar would complement the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) proposed by New Delhi at the G20 summit last year, offering alternative routes to stakeholders instead of the conventional Suez Canal course.
Also Read | Indian saffron rules: Kesar selling at Rs 4.95 lakh a kg in retail – the price of nearly 70 grams of gold!
Chabahar port’s strategic location reduces dependence on traditional transit points, and “by leveraging the infrastructure and logistical capabilities of Chabahar port, India can efficiently facilitate the flow of goods and materials, contributing to the success and viability of the IMEC project,” he said.
Regarding Sittwe port in Myanmar, Sonowal said that significant progress had been made in developing facilities, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) approving a proposal by India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) to take over operations at the Bay of Bengal port in April.
“Sittwe port is operational, with successful trial runs completed, handling cargo and verifying logistical capabilities. Significant progress has been made in developing port facilities, warehouses, and improving connectivity to the hinterland,” Sonowal added.