The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Sarthak, an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), made a port call at Chabahar, Iran.This marks the first-ever visit of an ICG ship to Chabahar.
Significance: The visit underscores India’s ability to secure supply lines to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. It aligns with India’s broader maritime visions of SAGAR and MAHASAGAR.
Geo-Strategic Profile: Chabahar Port
- Location: Situated in the Sistan-Balochistan province of Iran on the Gulf of Oman, at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Unique Status: It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the Indian Ocean.
- Composition: The port consists of two separate terminals: Shahid Beheshti (developed by India) and Shahid Kalantari.
- Proximity:
- Distance from Kandla (Gujarat): 550 Nautical Miles (Closer than Mumbai).
- Distance from Mumbai: 786 Nautical Miles.
The Connectivity Corridor: INSTC & Trade
- Role in INSTC: Chabahar is a pivotal node in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
- What is INSTC? A multi-modal transportation route linking the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran, extending to Northern Europe via St. Petersburg (Russia).
- Strategic Advantage:
- Provides an alternative to the traditional Silk Road (China-dominated).
- Enables India to bypass Pakistan to access landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics.
The Diplomatic Framework: The Chabahar Project
- The Agreement: In May 2016, India signed a Tripartite Agreement with Iran and Afghanistan to develop the Shahid Beheshti Terminal.
- Status: It is India’s first foreign port project.
- Key Infrastructure: The project includes the construction of a rail line from Chabahar to Zahedan to facilitate seamless movement of goods into the hinterland.
Key Concepts :
- SAGAR: Security and Growth for All in the Region – India’s strategic vision for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- MAHASAGAR: Maritime Heads for Active Security And Growth for All in the Region – An outreach initiative to foster high-level maritime cooperation among littoral states.
About Guardian Of The Seas: ICGS Sarthak
Type: It is an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), designed as a multi-mission platform capable of concurrent operations.
Series: It is the fourth in the series of five OPVs being built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard.
Commissioning: Formally inducted into service on October 28, 2021.
Technology Stack: Equipped with a state-of-the-art Integrated Bridge System (IBS) and Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS), enabling it to function as a sophisticated command platform
Strategic Base: Stationed at Porbandar, Gujarat, it operates along India’s Western Seaboard..
Q. With respect to Chabahar Port, consider the following statements:
1. It is situated in the Sistan-Balochistan province of Iran on the Gulf of Oman.
2. It is the only Iranian port having direct access to the Indian Ocean.
3. The distance of the port from Mumbai is less than its distance from Kandla.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: B
SOLUTION:
Statement 1 is Correct: The article explicitly states that Chabahar Port is situated in the Sistan-Balochistan province of Iran on the Gulf of Oman.
Statement 2 is Correct: It is mentioned as the only Iranian port with direct access to the Indian Ocean.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: According to the text, the distance from Kandla is 550 Nautical Miles, while the distance from Mumbai is 786 Nautical Miles. Therefore, the distance from Mumbai is more (not less) than its distance from Kandla.
