India discusses Chahbahar port project with Iran, Afghanistan

TEHRAN: In a significant meet ahead of the NAM summit, India, Iran and Afghanistan today held a trilateral during which the regional security and economic situation was discussed, including ways to commercially exploit the Chahbahar port, a major venture in the sanction- hit country.

While Iranian and Afghan delegations were led by their deputy foreign ministers, the Indian team was led by Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai during the deliberations, which focused on the key issues of enhancing economic and trade cooperation in the region.

"The objective of the meeting was to explore ways to expand trade and transit cooperation, including investment, among the three countries starting with the Chahbahar Port," a joint press statement on the trilateral said.

"It was agreed that a Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising representatives of the three countries would meet within next three months at Chahbahar to take the discussions forward," it said.

Located in South East Iran, Chahbahar port offers tremendous opportunities for trade and commerce for India in Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan, which blocks the country's land routes.

Iran, which is facing harsh sanctions from the West over its nuclear programme, is inviting investments for developing the industrial zone.

The trilateral also took stock of the security situation in the region ahead of the 16th summit of 120 non-aligned nations on Thursday and Friday.

It was agreed that the exact date of the meeting of Joint Working Group on Chahbahar would be decided through diplomatic channels.

An expert's group to study the IPA report and other modalities to develop the port.