Tuesday, July 2, 2013

The Close Ties Between China And Iran


China Makes Play For Iran’s Chabahar Port -- Zachary Keck, The Diplomat

China has offered Iran 60 million Euros (US$78.27 million) to upgrade its Chabahar Port on the Persian Gulf near Tehran’s border with Pakistan, The Indian Express reported on Monday.

The newspaper quoted a note India’s Ministry of External Affairs sent to the shipping industry as saying that “China could finance the project to keep India out of Chabahar and protect its investment in Gwadar port (in Pakistan).”

India has long been involved in the construction and maintenance of Chabahar Port, which Delhi uses as a transit point to Afghanistan. Chabahar Port has become all the more essential to India since China agreed to formally assume control over Pakistan’s Gwadar Port last February.

Read more ....

My Comment: There are a few reasons why China is making "this move". It is a good business move .... access to Iranian oil .... a presence near the Persian Gulf .... and containment of India. For Iran .... this means that a major port is upgraded, they are developing business ties with China, and they are circumventing sanctions. In short .... it is a win-win for both sides.

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