India plans to make Chabahar Port operational by 2019

According to a government statement, India will make sure that Chabahar Port in Iran becomes operational by 2019. IndiaÂ’s statement came after the United States (US) threatened to renew sanctions against Tehran. The Chabahar port complex is expected to open way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan. This Indian-backed port is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan, Tolo News reported. Iran and India, in February, signed an agreement worth $85 million to develop Chabahar Port in south-eastern Iran. The lease agreement gives operational control to India of Shahid Beheshti port (phase one of the Chabahar port) and was signed in the presence of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.