CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Union Shipping Minister Sarbanand Sonowal inaugurated the Chabahar Day conference in Mumbai. About: Dignitaries from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan were present on the occasion.

Detailed explanation-2: -Chabahar Port is located in Iran’s southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan provinces. The Chabahar Port is located 72 km away from the Gwadar port in Pakistan, which China has developed. Chabahar Port serves as the only oceanic port in Iran and consists of two separate ports- Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari.

Detailed explanation-3: -However, India’s trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia has long been hindered by an inability to access land routes through Pakistan. The development of Iran’s new port at Chabahar has transformed India’s trading prospects by allowing India a trade route bypassing Pakistan altogether.

Detailed explanation-4: -It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the Indian Ocean. Being close to Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and others, it has been termed the “Golden Gate” to these landlocked countries.

Detailed explanation-5: -Mumbai [India], July 31 (ANI): The Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) on Sunday observed ‘Chabahar Day’ in Mumbai to mark the Chabahar – Link to International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) – Connecting Central Asian Markets.