Iran-India port and shipping cooperation reviewed

Tehran, Oct 20, IRNA Fourth joint meeting on port and shipping cooperation between Iran and
India was held with the aim of expanding collaboration, particularly
in the field of marine transportation.

Director general of Ports and Shipping Organization for transit and
tariff affairs, Mohsen Sadeqifar told IRNA on Sunday that the meeting
dealt with ways to develop North-South Corridor, exchange experience
in the ports and shipping sectors and support Iran's and Indian
shipping companies.

Discussions also included signing sister port agreement between Iran's
Martyr Rajaei Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port in India, investing in
and upgrading Russia's Astrakhan Port on the Caspian Sea.

Meanwhile, establishing a shipping line from India to Astrakhan via
Martyr Rajaei Port was discussed at the event.

Describing Iran-India cooperation as excellent, Sadeqifar further said
that Iran imports dlrs 1.5 billion worth of goods from India while
exporting commodities valued at dlrs 150 million to that country.

Most of the transactions take place via sea, he noted.

The official further said, "Given the capabilities of the two sides,
we expect cooperation to exceed the current level." Currently, India's
transactions with Central Asian countries and Russia are higher and a
large portion of this is expected to be conducted through Iran, he said.

Stating that Iran, Russia and India are among the main members of the
corridor, Sadeqifar also said that currently, some 15 countries have
joined the grouping as secondary members.

Commenting on Iran's shipping and port cooperation with other
countries, he noted that it has signed agreements in the sector with
40 countries, of which 26 have been finalized with the rest are at the
negotiation stage.


End