'India, Iran, Afghanistan keen on expediting pact on Chabahar'

Iran and Afghanistan are keen on expediting the tripartite transit agreement on Chabahar port which will open a new gateway for their development and connectivity, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday. "We are keen on expanding scope of cooperation to cover development of entire Chabahar Port...This port is going to open a new gateway not only for the development of India but at the same time development of Afghanistan and Iran. This is a win win situation," Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari told PTI.

He was speaking after holding a meeting with delegations from Iran and Afghanistan. The delegation from Iran was led by its Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi, while the Afghan team was led by the country's Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamadullah Batash. Gadkari said India is committed to developing the Chabahar port in Iran and the work would commence soon after the completion of the tender process.

Wednesday's meeting was held barely a fortnight after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, during their talks here, had stressed that expediting the trilateral pact would augment connectivity among the three nations. Gadkari added, "We will try to complete the project within the time schedule. We are also finding out what are the new things for which we will have opportunity for development and investment. The Iranian Minister has given lots of innovative suggestions regarding the development of business.