Prof. Dr Uzma shujaat
Pakistan’s National Security Policy 2022- 2026 reinforces neutrality in great power competition, starving to maintain balanced and beneficial relationships with both the US and China and its tightrope diplomacy for Pakistan. In this scenario this paper is an attempt to highlight the strategic importance of Gwadar and Chahbahar Port.
China is engaged since last two decades in extensive investment in Chahbahar port as a potential assert in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Chinese authorities reiterated on many occasions that it does not see Chahbahar as a competition to CPEC but that complement each other, as it would enhance the overall regional connectivity and infrastructure.
If we see in retrospect, India has been logging to operationalize the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) in collaboration with Iran; the desire could not be realized due to US sanctions on Iran. China’s growing in the region; instability and Afghanistan’s tilt towards India and insufficient investment are the major reasons.
In 2020, the major blow to Indian design was when Iran unilaterally developed India from Chahbahr rail project over India’s absence of financial engagement. Since then, the negotiations between the two countries have taken many shifts and turns. This scenario is meditative of that fact that India’s persistently trying to remain engaged with Iran over Chahbahar and strongly indicates its foreign policy agenda of maintaining supremacy in the region.
Again in 2020 China and Iran have signed a historic deal to establish a direct shipping line to Chahbahar encompassing the Sheed Beheshti and Shaheed Kakantari Ports. Its indicates, Chinese extensive investment in Iran give Chahbahar a potential assert in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
According to Chinese authorities and policy narrative they have always emphasized that it does not see Chahbahar as a competition to CPEC but that they complement each other, as it would increase the overall regional connectivity and infrastructure. Additionally, mediation between Iran and Saudi Arabia have already increased the China’s diplomatic clout in Iran.
The Chahbahar and the linkages it opens up, can be seen either as a challenge to be countered or an opportunity to be exploited for Pakistan.
According to Dawn, editorial way back in 2016 it was suggested that there are two types of avenues, though, the lens of rivalry, the cooperative relations being forged by three of Pakistan’s four neighbors with Chahbahar as a emblem of this cooperation, look like at that time as encirclement of the Pakistan. When Tehran, New Delhi and Kabul sat together and issued a statement that the path to progress for regional countries goes through joint cooperation, the same ties appear as an opportunity to be tapped, calling for reciprocal measures but time have proved any engagement of India any bilateral or trilateral would not give any benefit to Pakistan due to long standing hostile attitude of India towards Pakistan.
In comparison to Gwadar Port Pakistan’s southwest in Balochistan has attracted regional and geo-political attention since its construction as a transformative economic hubs for Pakistan. Gwadar Port has received attention on the regional and geopolitical stage, its pushed India to continue to invest in Chahbahar port as a counterbalance to Gwadar’s potential influence, but that investment was halted due to lack of frauds.
Pakistan’s internal governance issues and security concerns have solved sometime its progress, but significance of Gwadar Port cannot be isolated, just across the border, Iran’s Chahbahar Port, supported by India, plays a role in the regional power dynamics, but faces its own challenges, particularly shaped by US-Iran tensions.
Simultaneously these two Gwadar + Chahbahar offer a lens into the Arabian Sea and Indo- Pacific power dynamics, revealing the interplay of local challenges, regional and global rivalries that continue to influence the development of these ports and defensive the regions evolving geopolitical chessboard.
The forecast of Gwadar in the near future suggest that it serves as a linchpin in its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its flagship project the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that will provide a direct link to the Arabian Sea and the potential gateway to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. But perhaps the port’s biggest promise is that it will reduce reliance on the vulnerable Malacca Strait.
Strategically and geographically, Chahbahar and Gwadar share similarities, but they serve different political purpose. While Gwadar remain Central to China’s regional ambitious, Chahbahar has emerged as India’s efforts to counterbalance in the past or maybe in the future Chinese influence. However, both ports face challenges while Gwadar contends with an insurgency in Balochistan, security concern and economic issues, Chahbahar remain vulnerable to shifting US sanctions and regional instability, particularly as tensions I the Middle East escalate.
The author is the Acting Director of the Area Study Centre for Europe, University of Karachi.
