The writer is ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan
Phase I of the development of Chabahar International Port in the presence of President Rowhani and other high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and with the participation of a number of officials from regional countries, including HE Mr Mir Hasal Bizanjo, Honourable Minister for Ports & Maritime of friendly and brotherly country of Pakistan, and the Chairman of Gwadar Port, was inaugurated on December 3, 2017 at Chabahar. Holding of the event in this time is significant in view of some prospects.
First: Inauguration of Phase I of the Chabahar International Port is indicative of the interest of international investors and businessmen in investment in the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as symbolic of new scenario after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Despite efforts by the enemies regarding conversion of economic atmosphere of the Islamic Republic of Iran into the security related. Fortunately, the recent incident was an example of violation in the way of their objectives. It proves the hypothesis of handing over the destiny of the region to the regional nations.
Second: The Chabahar Port does not only belong to the Islamic Republic of Iran, rather considered as instrument to facilitate trade, development and benefit for economic convergence of regional governments and nations. The Islamic Republic of Iran has the honour to present the Chabahar Port to all countries as the transit door for connecting South Asia with Central Asian and Europe.
Third: Fortunately, development of the Chabahar Port is taking place simultaneously to the progress of development plans of the Gwadar Port under CPEC in friendly and brotherly country of Pakistan. These two important events show strong resolve of the high-level leadership of two countries of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to further development of the two countries and reminder of their previous decision on further economic convergence of the two countries through historical, cultural and existing territorial bonds in the Balochistan region and the Chabahar and Gwadar Ports. It would not be forgotten that the two ports of Chabahar and Gwadar are complementary to each other. Each of them as a portion of a big landscape will act in the transit ties of the region. Every other perspective, except that is completely wrong and will be considered in line with the objectives of the enemies of two great nations of Iran and Pakistan.
Fourth: Iran and Pakistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Sister Ports for further convergence of the Chabahar and Gwadar ports, and officials of the two countries have visited the two ports a number of times. Moreover, the Islamic Republic of Iran, by having faith in need of development of the Makran coast and Gwadar port, has kept export of electricity to the latter port on its agenda and considers its duty for the regional development. The Islamic Republic of Iran has been implementing development programme for the Makran coast during recent years and simultaneous development of two ports of Chabahar and Gwadar are significant in this regard. The recent visit of the minister for maritime affairs of Pakistan, along with the chairman of the Gwadar port, to Chabahar can be a turning point in boosting cooperation between the two ports of Chabahar and Gwadar.
This event also shows the new situation in line with the regional approach for the regional subjects by leaders of regional countries which is beyond the machinations of interventionist countries, and could be expanded to other areas of cooperation.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2017.
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