India is gearing up to sign a significant agreement with Iran today, marking a ten-year partnership to oversee operations at Chabahar Port. This strategic move holds vast implications for regional dynamics, particularly amidst ongoing elections. By bolstering ties with Iran, India aims to enhance connectivity to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the broader Eurasian region, sidestepping Pakistan's Gwadar port and China's Belt and Road Initiative.

According to reliable sources cited in an ET report by Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is slated to travel to Iran for the signing ceremony on Monday. This marks a historic milestone as it will be India's first management venture of an overseas port.

Chabahar Port serves as a critical link for India's regional connectivity ambitions, offering an alternative route to Afghanistan and Central Asia while countering Pakistan and China's projects. Plans are underway to integrate Chabahar with the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), facilitating trade between India, Russia, and other Eurasian nations, bypassing Pakistan.

The recent approval by the Ministry of External Affairs for India Ports Global to operate Myanmar's Sittwe Port underscores India's expanding maritime interests. Sonowal's visit amidst a crucial election period underscores the significance of the agreement, which has been under negotiation for years.

The pact grants India operational control over Chabahar Port, a project it has invested in expanding. The timing of the visit is notable, occurring amidst tensions in West Asia that have disrupted key trade routes.

Chabahar Port has been a focal point of discussions between Indian and Iranian leaders, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Iranian President addressing its significance during various meetings, including the BRICS summit in South Africa and amid regional crises.

The groundwork for the Chabahar pact was laid during Modi's visit to Iran in 2016, and discussions on expanding India's role at the port continued during Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's visit to India in 2018 and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's trip to Tehran in January 2024.

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