India to work towards unlocking trade potential with Central Asia through Chabahar Port, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

High level delegation from Central Asian Countries join to observe ‘Chabahar Day’ in Mumbai organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Govt of India, Better usage of INSTC route via Chabahar for economical and swift cargo movement may unfasten trade opportunity

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Mumbai: The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal affirmed India’s commitment towards unlocking the trade potential with the Central Asian region through the use of Chabahar Port in Iran. The Union Minister was interacting with the high-level diplomatic delegation from Central Asian Countries here in Mumbai on the occasion of Chabahar day.

The day is celebrated to mark the beginning of International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) – an Indian vision to economies movement of cargo between India and Central Asia. The Chabahar Port located in Iran is the commercial

transit centre for the region and especially Central Asia.

Speaking at the event, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is working towards developing an alternative vista with the Central Asian region in order to unlock the huge trade potential that belies this strong relationship India enjoys with the Central Asian countries.

He further said, “The idea of INSTC via the vibrant Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar in Iran is an idea to connect the two markets using a multi modal

logistical corridor. This will rationalise our logistics cost which will contribute towards the trade volume between the two regions”.

“The Chabahar Free Trade Zone is an opportunity for the logistics companies to reap allowing the trade to bloom. Once we start exploring this route for trade, we will be able to rationalise our logistical cost, in terms of money and time, helping build an economical, faster, & shorter route between the two regions. I would like to take this opportunity to request all of you to take this message ahead to make your business community aware about the opportunity and potential that this route may unlock, added Sonowal.”

During the event, the delegates from the Central Asian countries highlighted how Chabahar link with INSTC can play a vital role in boosting EXIM trade in their

regions and its potential to further boost development in the landlocked countries.

The Union Minister was joined by the Union Minister of State for MoPSW, Shripad Yesso Naik, Ambassador, Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlan Zhalgasbayev, Ambassador, Kyrgyzstan Asein Isaev, Ambassador Tajikistan Lukmon Bobokalonzoda, Ambassador, Turkmenistan, Shalar Geldynazarov, Ambassador, Uzbekistan, Dilshod Akhatov, Deputy of Port and Economic Affairs of PM Jalil Eslami, Consul General (CG), Afghanistan Zakia Wardak, Consul General, Islamic Republic of Iran Dr A M Alikhani. Advisor to the Minister & Head of the Centre for International Affairs of Ministry of Road & Urban Development, Iran, Masoud Ostad Hossein, Rajeev Jalota, Chairman, Indian Ports Association, JP Singh, JS Pai, and Sunil Mukundan, MD, IPGL and other distinguished dignitaries and esteemed guests graced the event.

During the day-long event, several presentations & Government to business sessions took place. Presentations & speeches were given by Chairman IPA, MD IPGL, FFFAI and Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The meeting

concluded with a vote of thanks presented by Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Director Operations, IPGL.