Why the Chabahar Port Progress Has Failed to Keep Pace With India’s Ambition

News Snapshot:

Chabahar port in the Sistan-Balochistan province on energy-rich Iran’s southern coast is a strategic investment by India to boost connectivity and trade ties. Most importantly, it is based around 200 km from Pakistan’s Gwadar port in which China has accrued considerable financial interest. India and Iran had first reached an agreement back in 2003 to develop a deep water port and free trade zone in Chabahar on the Makran coast. In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a tripartite agreement to create a reliable and efficient “transport corridor for the smooth transport and transit of goods and passengers through...