Iranian First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber said on Sunday that Tehran welcomes increased investment in Chabahar Port in southeastern country.
Speaking during a meeting in Tehran with India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Mokhber said that the development of Chabahar Port is an exceptional chance for Iran, India and the entire region.
He said that the completion and development of Chabahar Port will help facilitate trade transit via International North-South Transit corridor (INSTC).
The Indian minister, for his part, said that his country welcomes Iran's policy of seeking to turn Chabahar Port into an important international and regional hub.
Sonowal reiterated that India is determined to help the development of the port.
Iranian First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber (L) receives India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in a meeting in Tehran, Iran, August 21, 2022.
In the meantime, Managing Director of Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization Ali Akbar Safaei, who was also present at the meeting, however regreted that New Delhi’s current level of investment in the port is not consistent with Iran’s expectations.
“The Indians have supplied six cranes worth around $20 million to the Chabahar port which is a very low investment compared to what is expected from the Indian side,” he said.
The Indian minister also paid a visit to Shahid Beheshti port at Chabahar as part of his trip to Iran on Saturday to review the progress in the development of the port.
During his visit to the port, Sonowal said that India remains committed to developing and popularizing Chabahar Port in Iran.