Q84 · UPSC Prelims 2017 · Set A · Current Affairs and GK

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What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

A India's trade with African countries will enormously increase.
B India's relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.
C India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
D Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.

Correct answer: (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Explanation

  1. A

    India's trade with African countries will enormously increase.

    Chabahar is on Iran’s Makran coast facing the Gulf of Oman. It is not a project whose main payoff is an enormous jump in India–Africa trade. This option is not the key.

  2. B

    India's relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.

    Oil-producing Arab states lie primarily across the Gulf; Chabahar is an Iran–India–Afghanistan connectivity play, not an Arab-relations instrument as such. This option is therefore wrong.

  3. C

    India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

    Developing Chabahar gives India a sea–road–rail route to Afghanistan and Central Asia that does not depend on transit through Pakistan. That strategic access is why (c) is the official key.

  4. D

    Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.

    Pakistan facilitating an Iraq–India gas pipeline is unrelated and contrary to the geography of Chabahar. This option is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (c). Chabahar Port in Sistan-Baluchestan is India’s alternative gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, linked onward to Zaranj–Delaram and the INSTC idea. It reduces dependence on Pakistani land routes. Africa trade, Arab oil diplomacy, and an Iraq–India pipeline via Pakistan are not the port’s stated importance. Only (c) is correct.