In News:

The offshore patrol vessel ICGS Sarthak of the Indian Coast Guard has made its first-ever port call at Chabahar Port, Iran. A port call refers to the period during which a naval or coast guard vessel arrives at, stays in, and departs from a port. This visit marks a notable step in strengthening maritime security cooperation, regional engagement, and strategic outreach in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Strategic Importance of the Visit

• Gateway Role: Chabahar serves as India’s direct maritime gateway to Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
• Connectivity & Supply Lines: The port call reinforces secure supply chains and India’s access to continental markets.
• Policy Alignment: The engagement aligns with India’s maritime visions of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR, underscoring cooperative security and prosperity in the IOR.

Environmental Outreach

Alongside operational engagements, the visit included environmental activities such as a beach walkathon and sports fixtures, supporting Puneet Sagar Abhiyan. Launched in 2021 by the National Cadet Corps, the campaign focuses on cleaning seashores, beaches, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies of plastic and waste—integrating maritime operations with environmental stewardship.

Chabahar Port

• Location:Sistan-Baluchistan province, Iran; on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz.
• Uniqueness: Iran’s only deep-sea port with direct ocean access.
• Agreement: Developed under the 2016 Chabahar Agreement between India, Iran, and Afghanistan.
• Connectivity Corridor: Part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
• Terminals:Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari.
• Indian Role: India developed and actively operates the Shahid Beheshti terminal.
• Management: Since December 2018, operations are managed by India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) through its subsidiary India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ).