India, Iran and Afghanistan meet in Kabul; discuss Chabahar

The first ever trilateral meet between Iran, India and Afghanistan took place in Kabul on Tuesday where Chabahar and counter-terrorism were discussed.

The meet happened at the level of Deputy Foreign Minister. While India was represented at the level of Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, Afghanistan was represented by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hekmat Khalil Karzai and Iran by Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Abbas Araghchi. 

The joint statement after the tripartite meeting said, "The meeting focused on consolidating economic cooperation, including Chabahar".

Chabahar port is considered as India's answer to Gwadar port which is part of China Pakistan economic corridor.

With the second set of American sanctions on Iran coming into effect this November, India is keen to get a waiver for the port. 

Chabahar was discussed during the recently concluded maiden 2+2 dialogue in Delhi, in which sources told WION that "the US is willing to accommodate India on Chabahar".

In a briefing by US diplomat Alice wells on 2+2, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia said, "Indian government described the rationale of Chabahar as means to provide access to Afghanistan and opening north-south trade to central Asia. US official said we are still in process of reviewing... So informational conversation".

Chabahar is expected to provide India with an alternative and a reliable access route into Afghanistan and a reliable and more direct sea-road access route into Central Asian Region.

Chabahar's location at the Arabian Sea means that it would be able to skirt any challenges posed by developments in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. 

The first consignment of wheat assistance to Afghanistan through Chabahar was flagged off on 29th Oct 2017. Since then many consignments have been sent and New Delhi is keen to make the port a connecting link between India, Iran, Afghanistan and beyond.

The port forms an important part of the international north-south transport corridor that will link Moscow to Mumbai via Iran and Azerbaijan.

All sides also said they "continue to support the peace and reconciliation process that is led and owned by Afghanistan." The next round of consultation will take place in India in 2019.