The Follow-up Committee for India, Afghanistan and Iran conducted its first meeting for the operationalisation of the Chabahar Agreement on Monday in the city of Chabahar, Iran
The first meeting of the Follow-up Committee between India, Iran and Afghanistan was held on Monday in the port city of Chabahar in Iran. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the meeting was at the level of Joint Secretary or Director-General and its main goal was the implementation of the trilateral Chabahar Agreement between the three nations.
The meeting led to an understanding and establishment of different routes for trade and transit between India, Iran and Afghanistan. India’s MEA said that the discussions were focused on the “operationalisation of the Trilateral Transit Agreement for international transit and transport through the Chabahar Port.”
Reportedly, the Indian firm, India Ports Global Limited also opened its office on Monday, taking over operations at the Shaheed Behesti port at Chabahar.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has further revealed that the meeting was “positive and constructive”. Adding that the representatives from all three countries “agreed on the routes for the trade and transit corridors between the three countries”.
The Follow-up Committee agreed to finalise at the earliest, a protocol to harmonize matters related to customs, roads, transit, and consular. The committee also decided to organise an event for the promotion of Chabahar on February 26, 2019. Apart from this, comprehensive research will be initiated for “determining measures to make the route attractive, decrease logistic costs and pave the way for smooth operationalisation of the Chabahar Agreement.”
India will host the second Follow-up Committee meeting at the level of Secretaries or Deputy Ministers next year.