The envoy, speaking on Pakistan-Iran relations at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad (ISSI), revealed that the offer to cooperate had first been extended to Pakistan and then China, implying neither had expressed interest.
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A further dimension to the deal is that Chabahar is now an Iranian port, backed by India, and Gwadar Port a Pakistani port, backed by China.
“The deal is not finished”.
“We have been very clear with the Indians (about) continuing restrictions on activities with respect to Iran”, Nisha Desai Biswal, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, said on Tuesday.
Even though the U.S. is seemingly supportive of the India-Iran-Afghanistan tripartite Chabahar agreement, some sections of the government, especially some lawmakers, have argued whether it might have strategic and military implications. By committing US$500 million (Dh1.8 billion) to the Chabahar project, Mr Modi helped secure a line of access for India to Afghanistan and Central Asia – a region traditionally dominated by Pakistan and, more recently, China.
The Gwadar project will not only give China’s Navy access to the Indian Ocean but also an economic boost to Pakistan which could eventually be a hedge against ever-increasing influence of United States in Asia.
He said though the 980-km-long Pak-Iran border was safer than other borders of Pakistan and termed it a border of “peace and brotherhood”.
India and Iran, along with Afghanistan, have agreed to develop the southern Iranian port of Chabahar, giving India vital access to Central Asia, as well as highlighting regional rivalries and burgeoning friendships.
Under the ornate chandeliers inside Saadabad palace’s atrium, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani by his side, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 23 quoted a Persian couplet by Mirza Ghalib to describe India’s ties with Iran: “Once we make up our mind, the distance between Kaashi and Kaashan is only half a step”.
India is believed to be increasingly upset over the development of Gwadar port by China under CPEC with independent observers suggesting Chabahar could come out as a rival in future.
‘How could Iran give space to Taliban?’
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The US media had reported American intelligence agencies tracked down Mullah Mansour when he was visiting Iran to meet his family.
