UPSC Prelims 2017 Q84: Current Affairs – Foreign Policy
What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?
- (a) India's trade with African countries will enormously increase.
- (b) India's relations with oil - producing Arab countries will be strengthened.
- (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
- (d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.
Answer: (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Explanation
Chabahar Port
Chabahar is in Sistan-Baluchestan province, Iran, on the Gulf of Oman.
India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a trilateral transit agreement in May 2016.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | South-east Iran, outside the Strait of Hormuz |
| India's role | Develops and operates the Shahid Beheshti terminal |
| Route | Chabahar - Zahedan - Zaranj - Delaram road into Afghanistan |
| Rival port | Gwadar in Pakistan, developed by China |
The options checked:
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| (a) Trade with African countries will enormously increase | Incorrect |
| (b) Relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened | Incorrect; Iran is not an Arab country |
| (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia | Correct |
| (d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect a gas pipeline between Iraq and India | Incorrect |
Answer: (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Chabahar faces Central Asia, not African countries.
- (b) Incorrect. The port is in Iran, which is not one of the oil-producing Arab countries.
- (c) CORRECT. Chabahar gives India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia without Pakistan.
- (d) Incorrect. No gas pipeline between Iraq and India is linked to this port.
Key point
Chabahar (Iran, Gulf of Oman): India's route to Afghanistan and Central Asia bypassing Pakistan; trilateral agreement of May 2016; links to the INSTC.
Remember
Chabahar = Iran; route to Afghanistan without Pakistan.
Common mistakes
- Calling Iran an Arab country; Iranians are Persian.
- Confusing Chabahar (Iran, India) with Gwadar (Pakistan, China).
- Placing Chabahar on the Persian Gulf; it is on the Gulf of Oman.
Exam tip
Chabahar = bypass Pakistan. That is its whole strategic value for India.
Sources
- Ministry of External Affairs — India-Iran-Afghanistan Trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridors (May 2016)
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways — Chabahar Port project