Chabahar Port, situated on Iran's southeastern coast, holds immense strategic and economic significance for India. This deep-water port offers India direct access to the Indian Ocean, bypassing Pakistan.
Key reasons why Chabahar Port is crucial for India:

1. Trade Gateway to Central Asia: Chabahar provides India a vital trade route to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Europe, boosting the economic tier.

2. Countering China's Influence: It serves as a counterbalance to the Chinese-operated Gwadar Port in Pakistan, part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

3. Connectivity: Integration with the International North-South Transport Corridor will streamline India's access to Russia and Europe.

4. Reducing Transit Time & Costs: Chabahar will cut shipping costs by 30% and transit time by 20 days compared to current routes.

5. Strategic Location: Just 550 nautical miles from India's Kandla Port, it's the closest Iranian port to India.

6. Energy Security: The port enables India to access Iran's oil and gas resources.

7. Regional Stability: It allows India to play a larger role in Afghanistan's development and stability.

Despite challenges like U.S. sanctions, India remains committed to Chabahar's development, signing a 10-year agreement with Iran . The port is a game-changer for India's strategic interests and regional connectivity goals.