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India signed an agreement in 2016 to develop a strategic port in one of its neighbouring countries. What is the name of the port?
Explanation
In May 2016, India signed a historic tripartite agreement with Iran and Afghanistan to develop the strategically significant Chabahar Port in Iran [1]. This agreement focused on the expansion of the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, with India committing approximately $500 million to the project [2]. The port serves as a critical transit and transport corridor, providing India with a direct route to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan [2]. This strategic move was also seen as a response to China's development of the Gwadar Port in Pakistan [2]. While a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was initially signed in 2015, the formal execution of the contract and the trilateral coordination council meeting occurred in 2016 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tehran [3].
Sources
- [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-36356163
- [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > INDIA'S ROLE IN WORLD AFFAIRS > p. 59