In May 2016, Narendra Modi became the first Indian prime minister in 15 years to visit Iran, and during his visit, he pledged up to $500 million to develop and operate Iran's Chabahar port as part of a trilateral engagement between India, Iran and Afghanistan.

PM Modi with Iran President Hassan Rouhani during a press conference in Tehran. Photo: PTI PM Modi with Iran President Hassan Rouhani during a press conference in Tehran. Photo: PTI

Chabahar has two ports -- Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti -- each with five berths. The project investment arm of the shipping ministry -- India Ports Global -- is partnering with a joint venture between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Gujarat's Kandla Port Trust to develop two container berths with a length of 640 metres and three multi-cargo berths by investing $85 million.

Chabahar's port of Shahid Beheshti. GIF made using Google Earth maps Chabahar's port of Shahid Beheshti. GIF made using Google Earth maps

On August 5, 2017, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road, Transport, Highways and Shipping, who was on a two-day deputation to Iran to represent India at the oath taking ceremony of President Hassan Rouhani, said that the government is hopeful that the strategic Chabahar port will be functional by 2018. "India and Iran have been historically sharing special ties. We're keen on developing Chabahar Port and are hopeful of starting operations in 12 to 18 months," Gadkari told PTI.

WHERE IS CHABAHAR PORT?

An operational Chabahar port will benefit trade relationship between India, Iran and Afghanistan An operational Chabahar port will benefit trade relationship between India, Iran and Afghanistan

Iran's Chabahar port is located on the Gulf of Oman and is the only oceanic port of the country. The port gives access to the energy-rich Persian Gulf nations' southern coast and India can bypass Pakistan with the Chabahar port becoming functional.

7 REASONS WHY CHABAHAR PORT IS CRUCIAL FOR INDIA