SSC Selection Post 2025 PYQ — Question 10

Correct Answer

Gujarat

Explanation

Chabahar Port is a strategically vital deep-water port located in southeastern Iran on the Gulf of Oman. Developed through a cooperative agreement between India and Iran, it serves as a direct maritime gateway bypassing Pakistan to access Afghanistan, Central Asian republics, and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Among all Indian states, Gujarat benefits the most due to its geographic proximity to the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf region. The primary maritime cargo routes connecting India to Chabahar originate from major commercial ports located along the Gujarat coastline, most notably Kandla Port (Deendayal Port Trust) and Mundra Port. These ports handle the highest volume of container traffic destined for Central Asia and Afghanistan via Iran, drastically reducing transit times and shipping logistics costs for petroleum, agricultural goods, machinery, and textiles manufactured or processed within Gujarat's massive industrial corridors.

Key Points

The development of Chabahar Port significantly counterbalances the strategic footprint of the Gwadar Port in Pakistan, which was built with financial assistance from China under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

By utilizing Chabahar, trade operations avoid the land constraints and political roadblocks created by the denial of overland transit rights through Pakistani territory.

While Mumbai and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Maharashtra also handle Chabahar-bound cargo, Gujarat's sea ports offer the absolute shortest geographical nautical distance and specialized infrastructure for these specific trade links.

Important Questions and Answers

Question: Which major Indian port on the west coast handles the primary shipping line connectivity to Chabahar Port in Iran?

Answer: Kandla Port (Deendayal Port Authority) in Gujarat is the primary nodal port managing regular cargo shipping routes directly to Chabahar.

Question: In which province of Iran is the strategically significant Chabahar Port located?

Answer: It is located in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province on the southern coast of Iran.