Nargiza Umarova
Uzbekistan’s plans to build infrastructure facilities at the Iranian Chabahar port to gain direct access to the Indian Ocean have not been implemented, indicating Tashkent’s possibly cautious approach to this issue.
New Delhi is strengthening its economic ties with Russia and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) through ongoing negotiations to create a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union.
Tashkent is pivoting toward an alternate Trans-Afghan railway corridor linking Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, aiming for a faster, more direct Eurasia–South Asia route and reduced dependence on Iranian infrastructure.
On September 29, the U.S. State Department’s decision to reimpose sanctions on the Iranian port of Chabahar came into effect (U.S. Department of State, September 16). This move reflects Washington’s current maximum pressure policy to isolate the Iranian regime. Renewed sanctions will hinder the development of Chabahar, affecting the economic interests of Tehran and other countries, such as India and Russia, that participate in trade routes involving the port. India, Iran, and Russia are increasing mutual trade and are keen to establish fast transport links with each other. The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is one such joint infrastructure project, and currently hinges on the deep-water port of Chabahar (see EDM, April 18, 2022). Additionally, Iranian land transit can reduce the cost and time of transporting goods from India to Central Asia and back compared to sea routes through Europe or the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
New Delhi is seeking closer economic ties with Russia (see EDM, September 10). Indian negotiations on establishing a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) have progressed, offering a promising boost to India’s trade presence in Eurasia (Trans.ru, August 25). The prospective free trade zone increases the need for interregional transport connectivity, which is the purpose of the INSTC and the Chabahar Agreement signed by India, Iran, and Afghanistan in 2016. In 2018, it was the Afghan factor at the time that helped New Delhi convince Washington to provide a sanctions waiver for Chabahar. The seaport serves as a trade gateway for Indian manufacturers to reach Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. In May 2024, India signed a 10-year contract with Iran to operate the port and pledged an additional $370 million to transform the transport hub’s infrastructure (The Hindu, May 13, 2024).
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