Taliban looks to develop Chabahar Port to cut Pakistani port dependency

By Admin

22 May, 2025

A Shift in Regional Dynamics

In a major geopolitical development, the Taliban regime is now focusing on enhancing its role in the Chabahar Port project in Iran. This strategic move appears to be part of Kabul’s broader aim to reduce its dependency on Pakistani ports, especially in light of deteriorating Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. With Islamabad ramping up the expulsion of Afghan refugees and enforcing stricter border control, the Taliban has begun warming up to India and Iran, marking a significant shift in the region's trade and diplomatic landscape.

The Importance of Chabahar Port

Chabahar Port holds a critical position as a transit hub connecting Iran, India, and Afghanistan, and it’s Iran’s first deepwater port located just 72 kilometers from Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which is managed by China. The port plays a pivotal role in facilitating trade between India, Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the larger Eurasian region. Recognizing its strategic value, India signed a 10-year agreement with Iran in May last year to develop and operate the port, asserting its influence in regional logistics and infrastructure development.

Taliban’s Renewed Interest

Since taking control of Kabul in 2021, the Taliban’s participation in the Chabahar Port project had slowed. However, with rising tensions with Pakistan, especially over the treatment of Afghan refugees, the Taliban has begun revisiting its strategic partnerships. Taliban officials have reportedly visited Tehran to explore ways Kabul can participate in the port’s development.

The Valdai Club, a Russian think tank closely aligned with the Kremlin, reported that the Taliban’s renewed focus on Chabahar is an attempt to signal independence from Pakistan. Furthermore, Iran is actively encouraging Afghanistan to join the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) — a trade route stretching from India to Central Asia and Europe — in a bid to strengthen regional cooperation and counterbalance China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

India’s Growing Role and Diplomatic Engagement

India has been a consistent proponent of Chabahar’s development, particularly since Pakistan has denied India a direct land route to Afghanistan. The port gives India a strategic sea-trade corridor to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan’s Gwadar and Karachi ports. For India, this not only opens up commercial access to Central Asia but also serves as a counter to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

In a significant diplomatic gesture, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently met with Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Afghan Foreign Minister. This was the first formal engagement between India and the Taliban leadership since 1999, underlining a possible thaw in relations and India’s evolving strategy in dealing with the new Afghan regime.

Challenges and Commitment

Despite hurdles like US sanctions reimposed during the Trump administration — which continue to complicate international participation in Iranian projects — both Iran and the Taliban appear determined to advance Chabahar as a global trade link. Afghanistan has even invested $35 million in the port project, signaling its long-term commitment.

Conclusion

As Afghanistan continues to recalibrate its foreign and economic policies, the development of Chabahar Port emerges as a strategic priority. The Taliban’s increasing engagement with India and Iran, especially via Chabahar, signifies a deeper regional realignment. With both countries keen on diminishing Pakistan’s leverage in Afghan affairs, the port stands as a symbol of regional cooperation, economic opportunity, and political independence.