Stakes for Pakistan
The trilateral transit accord signed between three regional players-Iran, India and Afghanistan has culminated into the development of a trade route between these three states. Iran’s Premier Hassan Rouhani, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani signed the accord on 23rd May 2016, to build the Chabahar port bypassing Pakistan in the regional event. Earlier this week, Iranian ambassador stated that the accord is not a threat to any state and Pakistan and other regional states can join the deal thus maintaining a policy of regional harmony that Iran continues to pursue even after China and Pakistan’s initial demonstration of lukewarm interest in the project embarked the deal.
Chabahar port located in the Gulf of Oman directly linked with the Ocean-lies only 60 kilometers away from the Gwadar port located in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan. The transit deal that has covered the development of Chabahar port involves an investment of $500 million from India. India has signed the deal to build the Chabahar port through the route of Zaranj (Iran);Delaram-Zaranj a city in the province of Nirmuz Afghanistan (Zaranj serves as the border between Afghanistan and Iran). The project requires completion from Zaranj to Zahedan in Iran and to Chabahar subsequently. Chabahar stands to be a deal signed amid much regional confrontation and Indian speculation over Pakistan and China’s regional projects in Pakistan and accentuating Indian insecurities in a bid for regional hegemony to increase its sphere of influence.
To cater to such matters the geopolitical frustration in the Indian Ocean has claimed to have surmounted the interests of China and US alike. China’s investment in Pakistan to construct the China Pakistan economic corridor along with its deal to develop and invest in Gwadar has been the row of much regional and international speculation. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Tehran is the first visit by any Indian Prime Minister in fifteen years. Chabahar port accounts for India’s growing energy needs that it particularly wants to fulfil through less expensive routes and costs. Furthermore, as India doesn’t have a direct geographical link with Central Asia the deal provides India with the essential link to connect with the region. Central Asian states since their independence have followed many agreements that have brought them in the regional sphere and geopolitical dimensions of the Indian Ocean. But, presently the transit accord holds Central Asia and Iran as the vast energy resources that India requires being a growing global economy.
Pakistan’s dilemma arises from the alienation that has furnished Pakistan presently from the regional developments. Indian policies to manoeuvre the situation in its favour have added to its role that it plays on world front as a regional power and a growing international economy. Pakistan’s growing isolation has been particularly targeted due to the deal. Iran’s offer to Pakistan to join the deal has also been extended to China to counter off any animosity. India’s current alliance with Iran and with Afghanistan has added to Pakistan’s detriment and to the changing geopolitical pivot. Gwadar being a subject of Chinese investment would further be hampered by the deal if Pakistan continues to strive along its path of alienation.
Stating the rhetoric Pakistan to overcome its growing isolation both regionally and internationally should by all means resolve to enter the regional trade. As the deal would also open India’s access to Russia and Europe at a reduced cost-Pakistan all the while needs to transform the priorities it has established. To procure the chance instead of considering the notions India has designed to increase its sphere of influence-the deal manifests the trade and economic needs that are equally important in harnessing the global needs.
Since Iran’s nuclear deal with the US; the lifting of sanctions has opened many opportunities for Iran. Thus to clearly engage in fostering better ties with the neighbours Pakistan must urge in gaining a partnership in t
