NEW DELHI: India and Iran are trying to iron out irritants and conclude contract by January for the expansion project of the strategically located Chabahar Port after over six months Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari had concluded MoU on the project – proposed gateway to landlocked Afghanistan.
Official of both sides are negotiating terms of the contract with a hope to conclude the document by next month for an Indian investment of $ 85 million to construct two berths at the Chabahar port. The MoU for much delayed Indian investment to expand Chabahar port was signed last May when Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari visited Tehran weeks before Iran’s landmark nuclear deal with the Western powers.
An Indian team was in Tehran this week to discuss contract of the project. Iran affairs experts point out that negotiations with Iran are less easier said than done. It is understood that the Chabahar contract is being negotiated clause by clause. Earlier differences developed after Iranian port authorities told India that the port building contract had been awarded to an Iranian company Aria Badaner even after the MoU was signed with Delhi. Senior Iranian Ministers have sought to downplay the issue as local problem.
Iran has also conveyed to India that it wants to utilise part of the amount (oil payment dues) remaining with Delhi to fund joint venture projects including in Chabahar. Iran has conveyed to India that it is not seeking to take back entire oil payment dues.
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