India Says Chabahar Port Will Provide Connectivity To Landlocked Central Asian Countries

External Affairs Ministry today said that India sees Chabahar port as India’s commitment towards realizing the potential of the place as a connectivity hub for Afghanistan and for landlocked central Asian countries. Briefing media in Delhi yesterday afternoon, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the long term agreement between India and Iran is a major achievement. He added that through the port, India has been able to provide a lot of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. 

The spokesperson stressed that the United States also understands the importance of Chabahar port for continued humanitarian supplies to Afghanistan. He said the port has an important role to play as far as the region is concerned, particularly the landlocked areas.

 

The spokesperson informed that Secretary (Economic Relations) in the External Affairs Ministry, Dammu Ravi will pay a two day visit to Kazakhstan’s Astana on 20th of this month to represent India



in the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO Council of Foreign Ministers. The meeting will discuss preparations for the upcoming Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State and review ongoing cooperation in SCO and exchange ideas of regional and global developments of common concern. During the visit, Secretary (ER) is also expected to hold meetings with his counterparts from SCO Member States and senior officials of Kazakhstan.

 

On fourth Indian arrested by Canada in Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder, the spokesperson said India has not been formally conveyed of it so far. He also said that no consular request has been received either.

 

Replying to a query on recent protests in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Mr Jaiswal said the  protests are a result of the policies over there. He added that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will always remain an integral part of India.