India on track to make Chabahar preferred port of call in Iran for trade with Central Asian nations, says shipping secy

India is accelerating efforts to make Chabahar Port in southeastern Iran its preferred trade gateway to Central Asia and Afghanistan, according to T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. This strategic shift aims to reduce India’s dependence on Bandar Abbas Port, which lies close to the volatile Strait of Hormuz, a high-risk chokepoint for global shipping.

Amid ongoing geopolitical instability in West Asia, including the Iran-Israel conflict and U.S. airstrikes, India is fast-tracking the development of critical port infrastructure, including road and rail connectivity at Chabahar. The move is part of India's broader plan to enhance regional connectivity and secure trade routes to key Central Asian markets.

Chabahar’s strategic location offers direct access to Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and other landlocked Central Asian nations, making it a crucial hub for multimodal logistics and supply chain diversification. By investing in Chabahar’s development, India aims to establish a reliable, politically neutral trade corridor, strengthening its role in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

This policy pivot also supports India’s Gati Shakti infrastructure initiative, focusing on seamless integration of ports, highways, and rail networks to boost cross-border trade logistics and port-led development.