Iran criticizes India for not making promised investments in Chabahar

Iran criticized India for not fulfilling its promise of making investments in the expansion of the strategically located Chabahar port and said New Delhi will stand to lose ‘special privileges’ if it cuts import of Iranian oil.

According to PTI, Iran’s Chargé d’affaires in India Massoud Rezvanian Rahaqi further said, “It is unfortunate that Indian investment promises for expansion of Chabahar port and its connectivity projects have not been accomplished so far. It is expected that India take immediate necessary measures in this regard if its cooperation and engagement in Chabahar port is of strategic nature.”

Chabahar port is being considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries.

In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan inked a pact which entailed establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, in addition to multimodal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations.

Referring to US sanctions on oil import from Iran, Rezvanian Rahaqi said his country has been a reliable energy partner for India and that Iran always follows a ‘rationale pricing’ of oil which ensures the interest of both consumers and suppliers.

The senior Iranian diplomat said it was important to work together to immunize relations between the two countries by adopting necessary instruments and mechanisms.

“We should strive to make these relationship more sustainable and durable. This requires a strong political determination,” he said, adding both sides should set up banking relations, open new transaction routes and help each other’s markets and business communities.