Tehran, Iran: Tehran has dropped New Delhi from Chabahar Railways Project due to constant delay in releasing Indian funds for this strategic project.
Iran would now complete this project through its own financial resources.
The departure of India from this project practically ended the dream of India to manoeuvre Afghan trade through Iran.
Iran signed an agreement with India for the construction of a rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan four years ago. All went well in the first year but then India on the alleged direction of United States withheld funds for Chabahar Rail line and even for the main project of Chabahar.
Tehran had been asking for the release of funds but did not find the appropriate answer from New Delhi.
“Iran had no option except to proceed with the construction of rail line on its own because India is no more a trusted partner after becoming a strategic partner of United States,” said Manuchir Jilali a retired professor of Tehran University.
Sources in Foreign Ministry indicate that Iran is in a way to join China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — a project which is highly criticized by India and the United States. Sources maintain that of smaller Chabahar Port would be Satellite Port for huge China-run Gwadar Port through Iran-China strategic partnership deal worth $400 billion.