Afghanistan Shifts Trade Focus to Chabahar Port Amid Border Challenges

The Taliban’s ambassador in Moscow has announced that Iran’s Chabahar Port is becoming a key route for Afghanistan’s foreign trade. Kabul is actively enhancing cooperation with Iran and India to further leverage this route. This initiative comes in response to the closure of border crossings by Pakistan and the Taliban’s desire to redirect traditional trade paths.

Active Collaboration Between Kabul, Iran, and India to Replace Traditional Routes

Gol Hasan Hasan, the Taliban’s ambassador in Moscow, made this statement during the third International North-South Transport Corridor Conference. He noted that Chabahar Port is emerging as a pivotal route for Afghanistan’s foreign trade, and Kabul is strengthening its collaboration with Iran and India to optimize this strategic corridor.

Shifting from Old and Traditional Routes

The Taliban’s ambassador indicated that Afghanistan’s trade volume through Chabahar is increasing daily. He emphasized that this route could replace Afghanistan’s old and traditional trade routes.

Gol Hasan Hasan elaborated:
Afghanistan is actively cooperating with Iranian and Indian officials regarding the development of Chabahar Port, with the Minister of Commerce recently discussing ways to maximize its utilization during his meetings with Iranian counterparts.

He also underscored that the Taliban intends to redirect their trade routes, which have previously passed through other countries, toward Chabahar.

Response to Border Closures by Pakistan

This move by the Taliban is directly in response to the blockade of the Torkham and Chaman border crossings by Pakistan. The closure and the resulting decline in trade exchanges with Pakistan have pushed Afghanistan towards expanding its commercial ties with neighboring countries, particularly Iran and India, in order to break free from the monopoly of traditional transit routes.

Chabahar Port, located in Sistan and Baluchestan province, is Iran’s only oceanic port and has long been recognized as a vital route for Afghanistan’s access to open waters. It is also strategically significant in connecting South and North Asia.