The recent US decision to grant India a temporary waiver on sanctions for Iran’s Chabahar Port has reignited debates on regional trade routes and strategic competition in South Asia.
While Chabahar supports India’s ambitions to reach Afghanistan and Central Asia, Pakistan’s Gwadar Port remains secure, sovereign, and positioned for long-term dominance.
Maritime strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan famously argued: “Whoever commands the sea has command of the trade; whoever commands the trade of the world commands the riches of the world and ultimately the world itself.”
This timeless observation perfectly captures the high stakes of port control and trade corridors in our region.
Chabahar has always faced structural vulnerabilities. Its operations rely on foreign waivers, international oversight, and passage through politically unstable Afghanistan.
In contrast, Gwadar—developed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)—is fully under Pakistani control and strategically located on the Arabian Sea near key global shipping lanes.
It offers a direct, reliable, and scalable route for regional trade that no temporary sanction relief at Chabahar can match.
Geographical and Economic Edge
Geographically, Gwadar is better positioned for regional integration. Chabahar’s connectivity to Central Asia runs through Afghanistan’s volatile interior, while Gwadar provides seamless access to Pakistan’s hinterland, China’s western provinces, and Central Asia—all under Islamabad’s jurisdiction.
Economically, Gwadar directly benefits Pakistan by creating employment, boosting revenue, and spurring industrial growth. Chabahar, by contrast, primarily advances India’s geopolitical objectives rather than regional inclusivity.
Strategic Realities and Policy Direction
The US waiver may temporarily ease India’s operational constraints at Chabahar, but it does not alter the underlying realities: Gwadar is stable, sovereign, and supported by extensive infrastructure investments.
Strengthened security in Balochistan, industrial zone development, and planned connectivity to Central Asia reinforce Gwadar’s role as the preferred hub for regional trade.
Pakistan’s focus now must be on accelerating Gwadar’s development, modernizing logistics, and ensuring that the port delivers tangible economic dividends to local communities.
Conclusion
In strategic terms, the Chabahar waiver underscores that regional trade is inherently competitive—but it also offers Pakistan an opportunity.
By leveraging Gwadar’s advantages—deep-sea access, sovereignty, modern infrastructure, and strategic location—Pakistan can consolidate its role as a regional trade leader.
Gwadar is not merely a development project; it is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic sovereignty and geopolitical influence.
While Chabahar may serve India’s short-term outreach, Gwadar remains Pakistan’s enduring strategic asset—a testament to national vision, resilience, and foresight.
