India, Iran sign pact during Rouhani visit on leasing port

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind (R) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) welcome Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (C) during an official welcoming ceremony in New Delhi, India on February 17, 2018 [Iranian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu Agency]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (L) pose for a photo after signing a cooperation agreement between India and Iran in New Delhi, India on February 17, 2018 [Iranian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu Agency]

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) attends a meeting with Vice-President of India Venkaiah Naidu (L) in New Delhi, India on February 17, 2018 [Iranian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu Agency]

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (3rd L) scatters petals on the Mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi, who was the leader of the Indian independence movement, in New Delhi, India on February 17, 2018 [Iranian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu Agency]

India and Iran on Saturday signed agreements including Tehran leasing to New Delhi operational control of part of the Iranian east coast port of Chabahar for 18 months.

Reuters reports the $85 million project, just 90 km from the China-sponsored Gwadar port in Pakistan, creates a transit route between India, Iran and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

India is trying to develop Chabahar as a way to gain access to the markets of central Asia as well as Afghanistan.

But progress is slow because of concern that President Donald Trump’s administration in Washington may eventually scrap the Iran nuclear deal.

A leasing agreement giving operational control to India of Shahid Beheshti port – phase one of the Chabahar port – was signed in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Later, addressing a joint press conference with the Iranian president, Modi said both countries wanted to expand bilateral ties and cooperation in economic development.

“We will support the construction of the Chabahar-Zahedan rail link so that Chabahar gateway’s potential could be fully utilised,” Modi said.

We want to expand connectivity, cooperation in the energy sector and the centuries-old bilateral relationship.

Other agreements included a double taxation avoidance treaty, extradition, and cooperation in the farm sector.

Rouhani, who arrived in the southern city of Hyderabad on Thursday, will later address industrialists.

Rouhani arrived in India on a three-day visit part of efforts to expand bilateral ties and cooperation in economic development.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (2nd R) places a wreath at the Mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi, who was the leader of the Indian independence movement, in New Delhi, India on February 17, 2018 [Iranian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu Agency]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (L) after signing a cooperation agreement between India and Iran in New Delhi, India on February 17, 2018 [Iranian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu Agency]

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind (L) meets with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) at Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India on February 17, 2018 [Iranian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu Agency]

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind (2nd L) welcomes Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (2nd R) during an official welcoming ceremony at Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India on February 17, 2018 [Iranian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu Agency]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) meets with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (L) in New Delhi, India on February 17, 2018 [Iranian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu Agency]

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (not seen) attend an inter-delegation meeting in New Delhi, India on February 17, 2018 [Iranian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu Agency]

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) inspect the honor guard during an official welcoming ceremony in New Delhi, India on February 17, 2018 [Iranian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu Agency]