Modi’s Iran visit to witness Chabahar project takeoff

New Delhi:  In a bid to circumvent Pakistan and open a route to landlocked Afghanistan, India will sign a contract to develop Phase-1 of Iran’s Chabahar port during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Islamic nation beginning Sunday.
Modi’s first visit to the Shite nation will also feature discussions on terrorism and extremism in the region as well as on India’s desire to secure energy assets for a fast growing economy.
Also, discussions would feature the mode of clearing the USD 6.4 billion Indian refiners like Essar Oil and MRPL owe to Iran in past oil dues.
During the two-day visit, he will call on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hold bilateral talks with President Hassan Rouhani and witness signing of two agreements, said Gopal Baglay, Joint Secretary (Pakistan- Afghanistan-India) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
“The visit of Prime Minister to Iran will focus mainly on connectivity and infrastructure, energy partnership with Iran, boosting bilateral trade, promoting regular consultation on peace and stability particuarly in our region and extended neighbourhood and encouraging people-to-people contacts and relations between the two countries,” he told reporters here.
Indian Ports Global Pvt Ltd – a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Kandla Port Trust, will sign a contract with Arya Bandar Company of Iran for developing two terminals and five multi-cargo berth in Phase-1 of the Chabahar port project. (IANS)