India takes over operations of Iran’s strategic Chabahar Port

[BringHarmony]

The fact is as we move forward the route is being improved. The Chinese have built a rail line over the Tibetan plateau and I don't think Kunjerab Pass is much of a hurdle compared to what they have done there. It's all a question of time. At some point the road will one day be all motorway [sections already have been built] and even over the horizon a rail line will follow.

Is there a article or some declaration to that matter? Because this is not a simple engineering problem.

We have similar issues in Canada, we are called great white north for a reason. Sometimes, only way is to close the highway or risk accidents.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Is there a article or some declaration to that matter? Because this is not a simple engineering problem.

No. At this point the work is going from low to top. Khunjerab Pass is at the top. Most of lower section has been converted into motorway. The middle section is being improved. I posted the recently completed tunnels. The Chinese built a railway to Tibet. That was far more technically difficult. As I posted a even rail line has been discussed. Obviously these will come down the line as and when the traffic demands it. But I have no doubt one day we will even have a rail. This route is too strategic. Connecting 1.5 billion people China and 200 million Pakistan is not like the frozen, sparse north of Canada with the North Pole as northern neighbour.

 

[Yankee-stani]

Before the 1980s and 1970s much of the route was done by donkey carts or 4-wheel and the reason why the KKH is lauded as a big project was it connected Gilgit Baltistan with the rest of the country, before very few people use to trek to GB, only Military officials and Government Officials by plane and the people were cut off modern day lifestyle somewhat

Dont look to wiki

Massive projects are underway up and down the country

Some are completed, some will finish in the next few months or years
Some over the next decade or even longer

Alot of strategic thinking has gone into this

I use to lurk around Skyscraper City forums and I use to see a lot of PMLN folks there fuming when they heard their special road projects got canned those idiots dont understand CPEC isnt a road works project but a geo-strategic route that could enable Pakistan to move forward quick if done right

 

[Nilgiri]

My take. After US leaves Pakistan, Iran will be partners in drawing out the new Afghan power landscape. I think both countries have matured since 1990s and can see that their failure to work together allowed outsiders from other side of the globe walk in to their backyard. I suspect China will also [along with Russia] play a overarching role to bring about some order in a post US Afgfhanistan. India will be left out in the cold. The game of snakes and ladders is about to go the other way. Snakes down for Pakistan in 2001 US invasion. Now it's time for ladder up.

And we can already see how Trump is bringing Pakistan into the effort as the recent Talib negotiation showed Pak played a significant role.

Hey I guess lets see. You told me quite a few times Chahbahar wouldn't even get anywhere near the stage it currently is at now (because US would sanction India etc etc) ...yet here it is operating, transfering and expanding.

I was also surprised to know Iran is already (under the current environment!) conducting around 5 billion dollars worth of trade with AFG that @Tokhme khar posted in another thread.

Its a specific niche that India and Iran are hedging with regards to Afghanistan and Pakistan. How it plays out, lets see. We got lot of time, AFG aint going anywhere in a hurry....not their Dari-Persian main cultural root anyhow.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Hey I guess lets see. You told me quite a few times Chahbahar wouldn't even get anywhere near the stage it currently is at now

It is exactly where I said it would be. Lot of photo ops, more MOU's, more photo ops, more MOU's but nothing substantive. The fact is the road from Chah goes into Taliban country and additional to that majority of Afghan population is adjacent to Khyber Pass, Pakistan. But let's see how this plays out ...

 

[BringHarmony]

No. At this point the work is going from low to top. Khunjerab Pass is at the top. Most of lower section has been converted into motorway. The middle section is being improved. I posted the recently completed tunnels. The Chinese built a railway to Tibet. That was far more technically difficult. As I posted a even rail line has been discussed. Obviously these will come down the line as and when the traffic demands it. But I have no doubt one day we will even have a rail. This route is too strategic. Connecting 1.5 billion people China and 200 million Pakistan is not like the frozen, sparse north of Canada with the North Pole as northern neighbour.

The Road is indeed strategic as far as Pakistan goes. From the other side, ie China; I am not so sure. To me it looks like :

1. A port to own for China.
2. A back-up route to Mallaca choke point. Keyword is backup.

Oh, BTW, transport of goods to and from Canada's west coast and east coast is way larger than China Pakistan. These roads are not for connecting people but for economies. Pakistan's economy is simply not large enough. At least for coming 10-20 years or so.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

At least for coming 10-20 years or so.

As I pointed out. Since 1960s the route has improved massively. It used to be mule path. And as we move forward it will improve even more [as it already is via CPEC] and over the horizon expect even a rail line.

 

[Nilgiri]

It is exactly where I said it would be. Lot of photo ops, more MOU's, more photo ops, more MOU's but nothing substantive. The fact is the road from Chah goes into Taliban country and additional to that majority of Afghan population is adjacent to Khyber Pass, Pakistan. But let's see how this plays out ...

Yes lets see for sure. I just remember it being said the US would have sanctioned India by now and forced it to withdraw from such a project and chahbahar would be completely gutted right from the get go (because India is way too dependent on US economy and the sanctions regarding those that the US can bring to bear etc).

Instead CAATSA exception given, Iran trade/investment exception given (I believe even to Japan as well)...exceptions instead of sanctions....something isnt cutting right w.r.t cookie cutter analysis is all I'm saying. So the shape of the final cookies to be munched on remains to be seen, they aren't even close to being put into the oven yet! A lot obviously depends on how much power Iran can exert into Afghanistan long term....and that is appropriately being delegated to them regarding this project in first place I think.

@Joe Shearer @hellfire @SOHEIL @Bahram Esfandiari

 

[Joe Shearer]

Yes lets see for sure. I just remember it being said the US would have sanctioned India by now and forced it to withdraw from such a project and chahbahar would be completely gutted right from the get go (because India is way too dependent on US economy and the sanctions regarding those that the US can bring to bear etc).

Instead CAATSA exception given, Iran trade/investment exception given (I believe even to Japan as well)...exceptions instead of sanctions....something isnt cutting right w.r.t cookie cutter analysis is all I'm saying. So the shape of the final cookies to be munched on remains to be seen, they aren't even close to being put into the oven yet! A lot obviously depends on how much power Iran can exert into Afghanistan long term....and that is appropriately being delegated to them regarding this project in first place I think.

@Joe Shearer @hellfire @SOHEIL @Bahram Esfandiari

What seems to be emerging is a tacit understated 'arrangement'.

 

[Tokhme khar]

Iran's interest in Afghan is linked to the talibs not coming to power. We will not allow a backward takfiri people to come to power. Outside of this there is minimal trade with Afghani because they got no money to pay and are corrupt and unreliable. This goes for both Persian and Pashto speaker.......mofo's say one thing one day, then next day change their tune. This is the reason we don't want to get involved with these people. Even today we have 2 million afghani living in refugee camps in Iran. They are a broken nation. Anyone with high hopes or expectations will be very disappointed in the end.

 

[KAMDEV]

Poor Iranians, things they have to do to have few friends. Will India be a true friend at the end ?

india iran are friend indeed , india flouted sanctions against iran by america and purchased oil from iran .

 

[xyxmt]

The Road is indeed strategic as far as Pakistan goes. From the other side, ie China; I am not so sure. To me it looks like :

1. A port to own for China.
2. A back-up route to Mallaca choke point. Keyword is backup.

Oh, BTW, transport of goods to and from Canada's west coast and east coast is way larger than China Pakistan. These roads are not for connecting people but for economies. Pakistan's economy is simply not large enough. At least for coming 10-20 years or so.

have you ever traveled those road?
I heard most people prefer traveling thru US

 

[BringHarmony]

have you ever traveled those road?
I heard most people prefer traveling thru US

No, I like most people in Canada prefer to fly.

 

[Tom M]

Agreed. Even Russia is small part of it. The real benefits is Chah will give India access to Mars.

Well not sure about Mars. But Chah will certainly give us leverage in keeping a watch on someones @rse. LOL

 

[KAMDEV]

Well not sure about of Mars. But Chah will certainly give us leverage in keeping a watch on someones @rse. LOL

ha ha ha mars to ars ..................