Gwadar port phobia ?

good development ! Iran A Muslim Country is getting benefit of business and live hood with the Indian Help.

So much for the BROTHER country

India - Iran bhai bhai !

Time is on your side, India !! Well Done .

Hence the Iranian adventure at Pakistani border. Shame on you Iran.

Great move!

Afgan Iran on Indian side. Hope sanity prevails in Pakistani leadership before its too late. Game is to contain our Chini bhai. Beware Modi ji too uncle sam is not trustworthy. Sign agreements after reading all T&C. But anyway sooner or later it was bound to happen non alignment can not fullfill demands of a billion plus people. lets play.

India-Iran pipeline bypassing Pakistan...no phobia...only national interest

It is very good initiative by Indian government

Pakistan should make similar ports in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and China. Surround India from all sides. Just need to first borrow money from the U.S. or Saudi Arabia.

Chhabbhar port should be modernized with in fast forward manner. Iran and India are sensible, friendly country.

So they can develop Iranian infrastructure, but the US threatens us with sanctions if we build a pipeline to Iran? We'll see how this impacts US-India relations. Anyway, the cost of transporting from Kabul down to chah Bahar and to Iran is still going to be prohibitively expensive, especially given the fact that roads cross through the Taliban held areas, and so all things wil be driven to Herat and Mashhad before going to this port, and vice versa from India. Really this port serves Herat well, and maybe parts of NW Afghanistan, not the rest of the country, let alone the other central Asian republics (aside from maybe Turkmenistan). This is more effective as a tool to pressure Pakistan into allowing transit trade more than anything else. "Look we have an alternative to using your roads" is the indian statement. But then again, it will ALWAYS be much cheaper for afghans to buy from their next door neighbor than to buy from India which is a several thousand mile detour. India's attempt to mimic China's plan really isn't going to work so well.

Then they say India is not worried about Pakistan...!

No US sanctions there?????

Sure - we wish them all the best in positive terms and hope their plan is for positive contribution to the region not gwaderphobia

US Sanction?

@Awais Gwadar is in Balochistan......another 'stable' part of Pakistan!!!

So Gen. Aslam Baig was right when he revealed factors and forces behind Imran Khan and TUQ Dharnas. Pak-China Coridor plus Gawadar

@Awais No, it is to relieve Pakistan of its self inflicted "strategic location" megalomania!!

Iran seems confused between friends and foes. Such needless decisions can come back to bite it

Strange bed fellows. Pakistan needs to get her acts straight. West is trying to contain China and this chess game is getting wierder and wierder.

Iran is a Muslim sate though predominantly Shia. Pakistan is a Muslim state. Both nations share religious, cultural and historic values. Both share a common border. For centuries Persian was the official language of India under Muslim rule. There is nothing on the map to divide these two states which share a long border, Pakistan in the West and Iran in the East. Iran has a store of natural resources and a rapidly developing industry and technical know how. Both can learn from each other at every level of life. So why is Pakistan unwilling to make friends with Iran by making some sacrifices? Some years ago I wrote to President Musharraf to plan to develop Pax Islamica by forming an alliance having three partners of nearly equal strength: Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. The pact would have an area of more than one million square miles and a population of nearly 300 million people sharing each other's strength, resources, technical expertise and military strengths. My suggestion went no where. Now India is doing what Pakistan should have been doing. With Indian military developing bases in Iran and Afghanistan Pakistan will be surrounded on both sides.

India seems to have false expectations with Afghanistan. Once Afghans change their mind on such a friendship, Indians would find their port investment going down the drain pretty fast. Something like rusting junk of old machines sitting on expensive leased births at the port. Buyer be beware. Not much fun at all.

Good move by India. It will give India acess to afganistan via Iran. India has always supported Iran and continued doing business with it even when US & EU had impose economic saction against Iran. India resisted all the pressure from US....but on the other hand pakistan discontinued Iran-pakistan gas pipeline project due to pressure from US. So who is real friend of Iran; there is no prize for guessing it. Anyway, Pak shouldn't feel insecured abt it.....it's all about economic/national interest of India. There is nothing against Pakistan. Pls do not see any conspiracy theory in this.

Circumventing Karachi and bypassing APTTA, which is yet to be implemented in letter and spirit by Pakistan will hurt Pakistan's economy. Pakistan has tried to use the port of Karachi as leverage to hurt Afghanistan instead of fostering a mutually beneficial relationship through cooperation on economic and transit issues. Chahbahar and Turkmenbashi will enhance and aid Afghanistan's access to the sea and provide alternatives to Karachi.

@Awais Chabahar port will out-flank Gwadar port. Gwadar will end up getting sandwiched - vulnerable to attacks from 2 sides.

@Awais "Gwadar port phobia ?" I don't know about that, but definitely looks like an attempt to make Pakistan less relevant for trade access to the otherwise land locked Middle East.

From India it is a smart move. But is Iran willing to commit this treachery and become our No. 2 enemy. That is the question???

Strange thinkings if India is building a port(Chabahar in Iran) for trade access to Afghanistan & Central Asia, does it mean India is circumventing Pakistan? Turkey is building rail & road link to access Caspian See port for Afghanistan through Turkmenistan. Similarly Turkmenistan is building rail link to Tajikistan, Azerbaijan & China through Afghanistan. Afghanistan is already linked to Uzbekistan & Russia through rail & road links. Is it all for to circumvent Pakistan? With thinking like this we are doomed. Time has changed. With rapid population growth in the region we need jobs in Peshawar & Quetta not suicide bombers. We have lost 80% trade through Karachi port to Afghanistan & if the thinking level(military level) we will loose the remaining 20%. Enjoy living in North Korea & sing national anthem day & night.

@Awais Pakistan phobia

Let them try this out. They will have to sail the goods to Chabahar and then drive on truck for about 2200 km all through Kandhar to Kabul on second rated mostly destroyed by war roads. Lets see if their transportation costs by sea and then trucks plus protection money to Talban can leave them competible to Pakistani exporters. And if it does then they desrve to take these markets because then it will be the stupidity of Pakistan businessmen which will render the market out to indians.

gwadar port is useless. China is not investing

Very good move by India. Always better to rely on friendly, reliable countries than enemies.

Not a all season deep sea port like Gwadar; and there is no physical link between the 2. Pakistan just needs to be more assertive on maritime interest. Also no guarantee sanctions will decrease. Pakistan is a capitalist country though competition is good - even with enemy india. We'll have the upper hand

Lets complain to Uncle Sam, or write a letter to UN

game of diplomacies...

India need to know in clear, precise and unequivocal term that China has "preponderant" status in the eyes of the world in every front...and India should not waste its vital resources on "hegemonic" desires in Asia...at the expense of poverty eradication and other social welfare programs...

@Awais No. Pakistan has chosen to not allow overland transport for goods from Infdia going to and from central Asia so India is looking at an alternative. Just a pragmatic step.

@Awais Competing with China & not Pakistan , if you understand the moves.

good strategy, Iran was always a good friend of india

@Awais No. Natural result of refusal of military to permit Pakistan to normalize relations with neighbors (and thus threaten shaan-o-shaukat of the generals).

@Awais The issue here is the Chabahar port will become functional much much before Gwadar

Awais - The world is dynamic - follows Newton's laws. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Great, I like the moves Modi has been making.

This is our only way of reaching Afghanistan without disturbing PAKISTAN.

@Awais: Yuppp AND the phobia of becoming US and China like powers with 800 million poor hungry people at their back :) Too much Bollywood i guess.....

@Awais why would anyone have any phobia about Gawadar?? Its not even functional. Char Bahar on the other way would provide India route to Central Asia and also it would reduce Afghans's dependence on Pakistan.

Encirclement!

Your enemy's enemy is your friend!

Things are falling into place on all sides if Pakistani border.

@Awais, this project has nothing to do with gwadar port. its strategically important for India. it'll give us access to landlocked Afghanistan and resource-rich central Asian nations. it'll boost trade and aid in India's economic growth. the importance of chah bahar for India is pretty similar to the importance of gwadar for Iran.

If China comes to Gwadar, welcome, if India does the same in Iran's Chabhar, it is to circumvent Pakistan.

@ajeet - outside of ur borders always bellng to foreign countries so nothing new unless u agree that India is hostile toward Pak

Pakistan should open borders for India to trade with Central Asia. What a spoiled brat our country has become.

@Khan ... and do you know how many people are below the poverty level in China?? Don't be jealous now boy.

After the formation of Pakistan,the historical and traditional road of India Uttara Path (Grand Trunk Road),was blocked by Pakistan,blocked India's access to Afghanistan and central Asia.It is very viable and beneficial traditional economic route,beneficial for both central Asia,Afghanistan and also India.Pakistan is hindrance for economic development of this area,it is taking advantage of land locked Afghanistan,cutting their access to sea.Historically Afghanistan had access to sea through port's of Sindh,but blocked by Pakistan.Afghan's have all the right's for access to their traditional route's and get on the bandwagon of economic growth.This grand initiative of India will put Afghanistan on development track and it will sensitize the historical silk route,bringing prosperity to this area.Welcome.."Buddha is awakening".

Utter failure of Pakistani policies in every aspect since 2008. (Musharraf was at least getting us on a progressive path). Give it to the main political parties and the military's interests and see it all crumbling down around us. Watch all the conspiracy talk follow my comment. My answer to them is, you deserve to be played by others if you are that narrow minded.

@Munir Mian Common bond of Islam could not deter East Pakistan becoming an independent Country. Islam is not a binding force, so is other religions. Pakistan needs to wake up, get rid of so called Islamic ideology and make fundamental changes in her foreign policy.

Nobody in Pakistan should blame Iran for joining hands with India. It was first Pakistan that did not keep its word for the gas pipeline. Pakistan clearly took sides with Saudi Arabia. So if India wants to have greater presence in Afghanistan in the name of economic activity so Pakistan should not have any doubt that it won't be able to keep its say in Afghanistan for much longer. And let me state that at the international level India has much more say than all the oil rich gulf states put together have. the most positive aspect of it for a common person is that we will have less talibans in afghanistan but it may increase there numbers in Pakistan. May be another force will take control of matters in Pakistan and send all the talibans to sea bed for ever.

Good move by India after Pakistan failed to provide access India for trade route via Pakistan to India. Pakistan should realize that political scenarios are changing in the region and Pakistan is becoming more isolated. This move is also good for Pakistan as it will prevent smuggling of goods re-entering Pakistan via Afghanistan. Wakeup Pakistan!

@Shahid .. India has already built a brand new road linking Zaranj on Iranian border to the Kandahar - Herat highway. Get up to date on the news kiddo..

No USA sanctions against India? Since 1948, pakistan has been an obedient servant of USA, while India has always followed its own policy which benefit only India. Bottom line India follows its own independent policy that is why the still continue to occupy Kashmir.

@Ahmed USA , I think you are not learning your lesson . I have already told you in another thread . Just to reiterate again , It is our money and we know better than anyone else on this earth where and how to spend this money . this is not the money donated by foreign countries...so I believe you will refrain from teaching us where to spend our money in future.

Religion can never be bond between two different countries. This is the mistake Pakistan keeps doing for so long..Not only that but also religion should not even be used to unite a country ...The countries who are making mistake will never develop because it has a lot of consequences of it .

@Key Points 80 million usd is not a big bet

This is called economic and geopolitical interests!

Problem with Pakistanis is to see everything with the prism of religion. Iranian flock Indian cities very often and regard India as a friend...there is good people to people contact. Iranians have used Indian educational institutions to their advantage. You guys still have a long way to go..Iranians clearly know that the partnership with India is a win win proposition.

@M. Emad -- Its not Bhai Bhai.. Its Business... Indians and the world believes in Business... Religion can't help you succeed... It will help you be true... Its up to you how you use religion in your character and improve yourself ... Business doesn't look at Religion ... Race .. its pure Money and good idea for Success... Win Win Situation..

@sam: Mate, you dont have money to maintain your own ports. Thats why you ran to China. And you want to invest building ports in other countries.

This potentially opens up India's second front circumventing Pakistan......In case there's a situation similar to 1972 Pakistan could be obliterated in a blink of an eye....If were Pakistan I'd be quacking in my boots....I wonder this Gawadar thing turned out to be a total own goal for Pakistan ??? Wonder what they were thinking....

@Munir Mian - Your idea is good.. But move on from Religious feelings... A Country is a Country and will look for its interest and not for Religion.. Simple example is Gulf... UAE / SA protects their interests first and that's why they Make Money and feed their people well... Never think UAE and SA are your Bhai's as they aren't .. for them you are an another country like India.. India knows it well and wants to play professionally than Brotherly... Neither Russia nor Israel nor US are our Brothers.... They are Strategic Partners. They need us and we need them.... Professional relationship... Period.

Now how can India invest in a country that is facing sanctions? on the other hand pakistan is forced to pull out of Iran Gas pipeline? pak govt must take up this matter with US and world, If India goes ahead with this project must pakistan go ahead with gas pipeline which would life line for pakistan economy while Indian investment in chabahar is just an strategic move, If world doesnt stop india from this, it will be another unjust behaviour of world and US which will only add on to anti US sentiment in pakistan and muslim world. one can hope that pakistan rulers should wake up and step in to oppose this project or else let the world and US know we will go ahead on gas project as well....

@M. Emad : It could be India-Pakistan bhai bhai -- and growing prosperity on both sides of your border! What is stopping it? Iranis are Muslim,too, but they are working WITH India and the BJP! But maybe not Muslim enough for Pak Taliban?

@Ahmed USA : The "preponderant" status of China that you mention is only accepted by its weak client countries like Pakistan & North Korea. Independent countries like India, Japan etc do not accept China's preponderance.

@Afghan Maihan If that happens that will be great because Afghan transit is a big cause of smuggling in Pakistan

Major failure of Pakistan's foreign policy. The slavish acceptance of foreign dictate...the enormity of this loss will become obvious even to the dullest of Pakistanis, in time.

@khattak: Excellent thinking, Khattak!

Blind following of KSA & USA results in such development. Our leaders thinks for their personal business not for national interest. Iran Gas project is example of it. Our leaders are narrow minded and corrupt. Future is economy power bomb not nuclear. All nations are in this race except us SAD

Iran is a loser country! It has no credibility and other than a few loser countries, it does not have any friends in this world! The sooner the Iranians get rid of mullacracy, the sooner it will regains a sensibility good enough to be accepted as a responsible member in the comity of world nations. Pakistan should not worry about either Iran or India! Both are despicable loosers!

@Munir Mian Muslim this, muslim that, mulsim ummah this, Hindu that, blah, blah, blah ...

First Iranian guards kill a Pakistani soldier & now India planning to develop Iranian port. I sense a strong alliance brewing between India & Iran. And the timing seems to be aligned with US & EU relations with Iran getting better.

@ Khattak, I could not stop laughing after reading your comment. You have put the tragedy of Pakistan.so wisely in few words. The last sentence was true but hilarious. I would love to read more of your comments on other Indo-Pak issues.

A good move after Pakistan failed to provide India a direct road access to Afghanistan via Pakistan. Pakistan should realize that political scenarios are changing in the region and Pakistan is becoming more isolated. This move is also good for Pakistan as it will prevent smuggling of goods re-entering Pakistan via Afghanistan. Wakeup Pakistan!

@Benaam what about expertise.

@Shahid with bullet trains and latest technology it is easy. We have to think in advance. I believe that we are nation of smart people but unfortunately we have wrong selection of friends. And have slave mantelity.

Muslim Muslim Bhai Bhai does not work any more. It is the country's own interest that prevails first. The scenario of Chinese-Pakistani Bhai Bhai is also changing.

@Munir Mian : You forget the fact that Iran & Saudi Arabia are engaged in a bitter proxy war for dominance in the gulf region & we all know the Saudis control Pakistan. So its fair to assume that Iran does not trust Pakistan.

@Shaheen No sane country can consider Pakistan as its friend including China.I lived in Iran and I know how they feel about pakistan.Wake up and smell the coffee(Arabian?)

@Ahmed USA, You should not hide your jealousy of India behind the false concern for India's poverty. Thank for your concerns, they have been duly noted.

@Awais : And when exactly will Gwadar port be ready my friend? Will it be in this century or while Baluchistan is still a part of Pakistan?

@Malik you are right but for you need brave honest leadership

@Shahid , I guess you are forgetting, India has got all the road contracts in Afghanistan. India has already made them smooth, and the rest will fall in place. It makes business sense for India on this Project to join hands with Iran and Afghanistan. Nothing like circumventing Pakistan. It's a simple thinking : business makes its alternate way, if there is any hurdle. It has been through ages.....Silk route was not Easy, but it did work, isnt't it ?

First, to those who think developing a poet in Iran by India means or reflects as a move to isolate or create problems for Pakistan, I want you to goto YouTube and enter the terms "Chabaha Port" or "Chabaha City Infrastructure" to find out how modernize is this part of Iran as compare to Gawadar. Second, India has been investing heavily in Afghanistan and in some development projects in Iran including work on Chabaha for few years. Pakistan and Iran had excellent relations until Saudis and Americans started to dictate their anti - iran policy at Pakistan's expense.

@Shaheen the most confused country in the world is Pakistan

For my Pakistani friends who are so concerned about India's poverty (particulary Ahmed USA), let me show you some math: From Wikipedia, India's GDP growth rate since 2000 (not counting the years of 1990s which were even more rapid): 2000 (5.6%), 2001 (6.0%), 2002 (4.3%), 2003 (8.3%), 2004 (6.2%), 2005 (8.4%), 2006 (9.2%), 2007 (9.0%), 2008 (7.4%), 2009 (7.4%), 2010 (7.1%), 2011 (6.8%), 2012 (6.5%), 2013 (4.4%), 2014 (5.7%). With that kind of year over year growth rate, India's economy in 2014 is atleast 2.68 times bigger than it was in 2000. With the kind of reforms Modi is unleashing this growth is about to go on steroids. Most countries with sensible culture are focused on their self improvement. India is not different and yes India will compete with China even though it is not possible for a democracy to implement tough policies like an authoritarian government like China can do.

Why Pakistan readers ,leaders, must see world through the religously painted glasses ? Majority of Muslims are normal human beings,They are muslims, like others religious people , are so,because their parents told,taught them so .Religions are dividing ,degrading defaming, demeaning decieving discourses. Their historical need is evaporating as sciences are providing the practical prescriptions to human needs and curiocities.Most human beings donot ,should not ,bother about Religoius dogmas.

Chabahar port wll be of great strategic value for both Afghanistan and India-Long live the time-tested tradional friendship between the two countries.

india will be left under the protection of 10000 nato troops in afghanistan where 150000 with most modern equipment worth half a trillion dollars were forced to flee. Let india spend and see the end results, which will be no more than dead bodies and scrap.

@Benaam Does Pakistan has this ability? You are asking Chinese help for your own ports......

Iran is Israel in disguise.

Why look from the angle that India wants to encircle Pakistan? Extension of this logic is China is encircling India with help of Pakistan. Look at from trade and development point of view.

@Shaquille one year time to develop a port into a container terminal is very creditable. Infact supr efficient. Also 10 years lease of two berths is worth d investment. Thanks Modiji for inspiring our skilled n gifted engineers. We are the best brains in the world. Please also bring all pvt institutes under CBSC system of education. Thanks

Pakistan's treatment of Shias , its closeness with Saudi Arabia is the cause of this bitterness in relations with Iran, on the otherhand shias are treated well in India and their is no anti Iran activities like Pakistan in India.

For people that say China is Pakistan's all weather ally is a total false notion....The Chinese premier visited India a few weeks ago signing about 20 odd billion dollars worth of investment and trade while letting Pakistan know that the same premier wouldn't visit Pakistan right at a similar time.....So much for Pakistan's ally China that they now know where their investments will bear fruit and where it will not .....Pakistan's isolation is almost complete if not totally isolated yet....Pakistan's single biggest folly was to sell it's soul to the US and Saudi in exchange for a few dollars whilst alienating it's neighbors or causing mayhem in the form of terrorist attacks....Pakistan and it's population should by now very well know that people have long memories and especially of they are painful ones it's never forgotten.....

@fida sayani, USA.: Your answer lies in your statement. As you said, Pakistan has been a servant of the US & India has its independent policy. One imposes sanctions against one's servant, not an equal ally.

@Ridwan the real reason for shelving the Iran Pakistan pipeline is Saudi Arabia's hold on our elected government. Has nothing to do with the US.

And all you fools thought Iran is your friend and these ayatollahs are sincere to their brothers - what a joke Iran turn out to be?

At the end, it is business deal. Not sure why everyone brings Pakistan into picture?

@Shahid Yes, of course India doesn't have strategists with your intelligence...now allow us to squander our money in peace

India is miscalculating Afghanistan as some one rightly said , India is on the wrong side of history...as far as Iran is concerened, Iran will loose a middleman against Saudis plus her influence will fade in middle east.

@Ridwan Now rethink your game plan without Baloch - a reality in 5 years.

It has been long on the card of Iran,Afghanistan and India to open up trade routes through land and sea by passing Pakistan and the development of Chabahar Port is part of plan because it provides direct and shortest sea access to the land locked Afghanistan.

Go India go, you are the Region

@fida sayani, USA. A free and sovereign nation like India does not need advice from any big brother ...

why has India taken the route through Iran while it could have easily gone through Pakistan. But this uncertainty prevailing is effecting, so stop thinking about War - instead focus on trade relations and bring economic prosperity. War will only result in misery, destruction and nothing to gain.

@sam India is sensible country. Spending resources on Mars project while a third of the population goes to bed hungry and excreates in public.

@TRVERMA If religion is not a bond what is BJP's hindutva ?

I read comments and most of comments from Pakistani people is that Pakistan and Iran both Muslim country how ever they are shia and we share common culture and long border but i would like to say in world business their no bhai bhai term and only national interest work i want to give you one example but for you is very hard to digest as Israel get petrol or energy from your so called muslim brother if your term bhai bhai work than they should not get oil when you will wake up

@khattak you are 100%right it is time to enhance our economic ties

@IBN E ASHFAQUE , India's GDP has grown 2.68 times between 2000 and 2014. It will probably double in another 10 years even with a conservative average of 7% per year. You won't have to concern yourself with our misery for too long.

@IBN E ASHFAQUE if Hinduism has been an election issue in India.. BJP would have never lost a single election..majority Indian are development concern than religion concern...

India and Iran will benefit mutually by co-operating on infrastructure building. Western powers will be delighted to support this understanding , as Iran and western countries are workingtowards rapproachment . India and Iran have been very close together since long time. Due to sanctions imposed by western nations, this friendship could not give adequate dividends to both nations. Now, happy days are here again for India and Iran. India will need Iran for supporting them in oil supplies to counter the Saudi lobby. Also, India ges an alternate access point to central Asia , including Afghanistan. Strategically, this is good development for India and Iran , and also western nations. Pakistan should not get paranoid , as they anyway using China for development of Gwadar port .

@IBN E ASHFAQUE "India is sensible country. Spending resources on Mars project while a third of the population goes to bed hungry and excreates in public." Bhai jaan, kya iss baat ka aapko ilm hai ki Hindustan ka Mars mission mehez ek science project nahi tha? This is an investment they have made which will come back to them in much abundance and real fast. I predict they will easily take the lion share of the over $30billion/year market for commercial outer space ventures in the coming years. This will further create capacity for them to develop their country and people. Have you any idea how much their middle class has expanded (meaning new households added to middle class from lower economic strata) in the last 20 years? Google it first, and then pick up your jaw off the floor... and while you are at it and still have appetite for more, do check out how much their upper middle class has grown in the same time frame. We are stuck where we were 25 years ago and watching the world go by. Instead of pulling our selves together and improving the future of our country and people, we manage to find solace in shallow criticism of others' (read India) accomplishments. I am not ashamed to admit, we find them grapes pretty sour at the moment.....

Shame for Pakistani leaders who still presume good relationship with India. India will not spare any opportunity to demoralize Pakistan as a state. India want to circumvent us from Afghanistan, Russian and Iranian sides. They already planned a strategy regarding to this. India can not be a favorite country for Pakistan. Its a wake up moment for all Pakistanis, especially for present govt of Pakistan to bring all the current situation under consideration regarding to the present scenario.

@Khan scared already??

Iran has seen Pakistan's friendship. Now it will see Pakistan's enimity.

India has been working on developing this pot for last six months. This is not a new news.

@Ahmed USA the difference b/w u and us is u take status quo as final while we make efforts to change it/ bridge the gap and in the process grow- not act like cry babies

@IBN E ASHFAQUE have your abbu ever visited india?

@Sonny Afridi : Quit being silly --Pakistan has to project some gaurantees that it is astable country with dependable services. Other countries can't do business with chaotic and forever unstable economies and societies. if Gwadar is an excellent port but riddled with threats of violence, nobdy will choose it over other ports. It's the economy and stability, my friend! 'Caravan chhute gaya to haat malne se kutchh nahi ho ga.'

@IBN E ASHFAQUE You are not able to understand the vision what. India is planning to do on Mars, that is the reason you are not able to understand the reason for this investment. India is not fool to invest such amount. May be you want to read what India has sent as payloads on MOM. One of is to study about methane. Gas. rings any Bell ! If not ...please keep on ranting what you have been doing. It's beyond your vision.

@IBN E ASHFAQUE how much india is earning from this technology and how much india is using this technology for education and agriculture and communications You do not know these advantages are far outweighing the costs.you do not know these simple facts that's why you are so backward.the tragedy is you do not even know that you are backward

@TRVERMA ; Multi religious , multi-cultural countries do not fall back on one all-persave religion for prosperty. Leave religion to the mosque and parents with the best suppliers and buyers and go do business. It's called economics. Saudis' Makka tourist pilgimage as $8,5 billion annual revenue source will never come your way. Try peace and tourism and BE NICE TO FOREIGN VISITORS, who bring you DOLLARS! Or look for lots of oil and gas!

lets hope the port will be utilized for bringing the central Asian gas to energy deficient India while Iran and Afghanistan benefits in the long run by bypassing pakistan.

@ASGHAR KHAN Your leaders are demoralising you sir, realise it before it's too late. They did not had the vision of the gains from a route passing through Pakistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan would have equally benefitted, but Pakistani leaders saw this issue with a spectacle of anti. India stance, rather than a business opportunity, it's a failure of your policy makers.

India dont have friends or enemies. India is ready to make ties with any counties which are mutually beneficial and we dont bow to any county including USA or China in matters which are against national interest. There is no meaning in bringing religion in to this. India has good relation with bangladesh, afghanistan, iran and not with pakistan though all are muslim majority countries. Its only a matter of national interest...

@IBN E ASHFAQUE We Indians are so embarrassed when we see the great strides taken by Pakistan in every field...you guys are awesome!!! Must be the Horlicks you drink regularly...

Money is the most secular thing in this world.

@zauq you have been brainwashed by sir zaid hamid.

@IBN E ASHFAQUE we are working on that by 2019 you will not have complains so start coming up with new rheotrics in the mean time.

@Khan Phobia is a fear. Indian don't fear of becoming US or China. Although I admit , India has a phobia about becoming Pakistan.

@Ridwan / Good analysis. Further, here is an opportunity for Pakistan to go ahead with Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline as quickly as possible, without fear of any sanctions from our benefactors- after all, what is good for the gander (India) is good for the goose (Pakistan)

Splendid move and I am sure Pakistan will not wake up yet and keep on panic of USA to not finalize Pak-Iran Pipeline while capitulating every time!

@Benaam making a plan with out money? How come?

Pakistan needs to straighten up its policies otherwise it will loose badly both economically and strategically...

@Ahmed USA A port on Iran's coastline is of long term benefit to India's poor. As it keeps the fuel supply and prices in somewhat our control. Fuel prices affect the price of everything - from vegetables and pulses to construction items.

Iran is not happy. Reason: Systematic persecution of Shias. They should have been protected even if they disagreed with you on certain points. You cannot keep persecuting and demanding at the same time. Govt has been silent on the issue and hence the distances are bound to increase.

Is US happy with this? If yes then why not with IP pipeline?

@Afghan Maihan As a Pakistani I agree 100% with you. Now please take back all the millions of Afghans who are living in my country back. Especially those Afghans who are doing big business in Karachi and Peshawar. May God bless your Afghan-Hindu friendship because I am sick and tired of watching ungreatful people. Afghanistan is a wasteland and our borders should be sealed. Good luck!

Pakistan should go for counter attack policy and shouldn't allow for free and increase tax for sea route for this port and it will give Pakistan more benefit than others and cost will goes up and feasibility will change dramatically in Pakistan's favor

@Intelligent No country has a right to use another country's port without their permission. Good luck India doing business with the wealthy and prosperous Afghanistan, the greatest economy in the world.

@Haroon Rooha - excellent comment. Wake up time for Pakistan - if it is not too late!

@raja hindustani so why you indians have problem when Pakistan and china were going to develop a road from china to Gwadar, why your Govt. was crying about security risk for india at that time :-p

@IBN E ASHFAQUE u paki people r really crazy, bjp is bad so wat bout Congress, who r u to decide whom should we vote, every party in pak is religious minded, bjp is a Hindu party so what, 80% Indians are Hindus, 33% voted for bjp though, by the way M not Hindu, we support bjp coz we want to progress, toilets r not a big deal, we are not using urs either, keep enjoying ur land of Saints and purists

@Indian Resident Hindu To add to your point, Iran is piggybacking on India's image and clout to come into international mainstream after alienation by western countries due to nuclear issue. In a way India is helping legitimatising Iranian nuclear programme, which they say is for peaceful purpose, the way India had declared mainly for power generation , what has been already accomplished now. Deterrence was only a second option. Cooperation goes hand in hand.

Why not build a road link to Chabahar as well? Or to some distance on both sides? I think that would be possible as well.

@IBN E ASHFAQUE please read this news item which quotes your minister Dar. You will get a clear picture of poverty in Pakistan. Over half of Pakistan lives under poverty line: Dar Here is the link http://www.dawn.com/news/1110248/over-half-of-pakistan-lives-under-poverty-line-dar In India it is only one-third, in Pakistan it is 50 per cent.

@Abc much stable than Manipur, Assam, Bihar

@Shah Brother you may be taunting Afghanistan today saying greatest and prosperous. But don't forget India will make lot of money by developing Afghanistan and in return Afghanistan will benefit , it may be possible that it becomes Prosperous soon that You may have to take back your words ... Watch on your words please. Don't underestimate anyone who intends to work hard for its prosperity, it could be your immediate neighbour or it could be your neighbouring country.

@Deepak M Emad is a liberal man wether Pakistani or Indian

@IBN E ASHFAQUE may be they go to bed hungry, but it is still not that bad that they have to eat grass to send mars mission.

@U saifi Upto 1965 Pakistan and India enjoyed open border.No visa no security check post the military was there but it was to secure LOC.trade was routine affaire for India Pakistan but since Pakistan adopt 1000 wounds policy towards India India had to think about friendly gesture about PK.

For all my fellows commenting on this development in relation to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, it was Pakistan who did not proceed with constructing the pipeline though they had a deadline from Iran of December 2014. There were also threats from Saudia Arabia against the pipeline. Pakistan was donated 1 billion to construct the pipeline and there was no progress. Later US tempted Pakistan with donations to construct a liquefied natural gas terminal and import electricity from Tajikistan through Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor. Even that has not been constructed. Check out the Wikipedia story on this project for more details.

@Kalimullah This port is not controlled by Pakistan? Pakistan cannot charge any taxes - so no income.

@Haider Rehman us will not or not stogly oppose this because india is a democracy country where govt. policy etc etc is not encouraging terrirism and us also noted that indian people are not hating usa. india has no double standard on extrtemism. in india minorities are happy and no suicide bombing here.

@BILLALLA! , This is what I wanted to communicate also . Hope Pakistan learn this asap.

Another part of the deal was that India puts pressure on Pakistan's eastern border while Iran on the western border?

It wouldn't have come to this if Pakistan had allowed access to Indian goods and aid to Afghanistan, this benefiting all especially itself...

@Shah , No Indian want to learn economy from Pakistan people. India is going to be 25 times bigger economy than Pakistan in next 5 years ...just see the fact before your non-sense suggestion . this is like someone teaching you "peace translation" without knowing basic English alphabets.

@Ajaya K Dutt ....not 6 months. India first time planned 15 years before. It was abondened and now again start working on it.

India cannot rely on Pakistan to reach Iran. So a direct path to Iran is necessary.

@IBN E ASHFAQUE why don't you understand that investing in science and technology is equally important. Both for India and Pakistan. Lets agree on one thing, Pakistan is not exactly able to feed its people or protect them for that matter by saving money in space research programs. Hungry people are fine, they will be taken care of. but what will the able and educated do if you dont give them platforms like mars mission to prove their worth?

Let the indians have their adventure in Afghanistan, Chabahar is of very limited value because its a longer more difficult route to the sea than through Pakistan. Gawdar is not only shorter but cheaper, meaning those allowed to use it will have an economic advantage over those who don't. Chabahar will also be subject to the whims of the Americans every time it has an argument with Iran. Pakistan already allows exports from Afghanistan through Pakistan to the indian border, but not vice versa (ie no indian products can go the other way.) The plans China and Pakistan are making for Gwadar for oil and gas pipelines, rail and road will leave Chabahar far behind anyhow.

@Awais Not really. It's because Pakistan is adamant to not allow India its territory for transportation. India needs an alternate route to Afghanistan and Central Asia for trade and commerce purpose. How come India can use a foreign country port for defense purpose? Iran is not like your country which can give a part of Kashmir to China for this kind of activity.

@John Gawadar will be constructed by China, and a major portion will be for their trade but Gawadar port authority will run the operations. China will have Air craft port facilities. Pakistan expected revenue from this is $ 12bn per annum, this will give Pakistan a annual trade surplus. India runs an annual trade deficit of -$140bn every year and has to borrow to make up the shortfall. That why it is the most debted country in the world.

@M. Emad India Iran bhai bhai.....IPI gas pipe line abondened under US pressure. Sided with US on voting in UN for sanctions on Iran Bhai.

@Awais sour grapes a little.

@Shaheen how about Iran is recognizing it's mistake of past of calling somebody as a friend

@Shaheen may be Iran is fixing the confusion of past and recognizing friends now.

Pakistan will now start feeling the heat. As you sow so shall you reap

@Pakht Is it easy to get online in your cave in FATA ? (The answer is clearly "YES", so wonders will never cease !)

@Zak you soooo bright.

@Gp65 Pakistan has given permission to india to transport its products through it's land but the terms are not acceptable to india,........good luck with the bypass route

@Zak If you have the capacity to generate money then it is not bad to have foreign investment, that is true with India . For Pakisthan is reverse there is no generation of money only debt debt and debt. It is going to default the IMF payment on dec and Iran is going to ask to pay heavy penalty for non performing of pipeline.

@Malik the real issue is Pakisthan does not have money , and no one is ready to give them

@Varntvar Good point...however what about cordial and friendly relations with your next door neighbors...I guess price of everything would go down...my friend everything is expensive if there is crisis in the region...

@Zak most dawn news in world section is related to india...... every sea port help a nation no doubt..... India is also upgrading its ports nd so should all SAARC countries..... China is developing gwadar for whatever reasons but it does pose a security threat to india as china is a hostile country specially towards its neighbours.... India played spoilsport with the iran plan..... Iran also realises that india is future..... Indian navy is increasing its might... Indias naval power will increase along with its economy.. Indian ocean will be ruled by india of the betterment of world.... So this china pak nexus is taken care by india....... Also kindly be frank.... Pakistan is no where near india in every terms..... Indian economy with be third largest in next decade.... Simple it will get more powerful..... China also is aware of what pakistan is all about.... Not much difference between somalia nd pak...... Stop sending terrorists better come with talented actors nd singers and also cricketers.... Infact come as tourists.... u r most welcome......

@Ahmed USA India did X or doing X it should not do it at the cost of poverty etc... But hey what can we expect... Government and ministries have ability to function in parallel in India. Though I am not sure about Pakistan ...

I see one more strategic point of this port. Either India would offer US to send all their equipment back to US using this port, or buy them cheap and take them to India. Pakistani transporters would be a net looser in this case.

@Ahmed US - No sir, it is a way to reach CENTARL ASIA , nothing more. India has no time to waste in persuading unreliable neighbour.

@Kalimullah Do you think the entire Arabian Sea is Pakistan's maritime property?

@Benaam sri lanka is ok china is ok but bangladesh lolz

The port was already partially built by India in the 1990s to provide India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. Nothing new here.

Great job India! Now that you've tried to "modernize" Afghanistan with billions of wasted money, why not finally feed your own poor, hungry and dying?? FYI, Iran doesn't need India's help, its got plenty of qualified engineers and oil wealth. This all simply a ploy by India to stick its nose where it doesn't belong. Take care of your own and watch your back, Pakistan will not let India undermine Gwador!

@Tanweer Syed, I honestly feel Pakistanis are as talented as Indians partly because most of them has same Indian DNA (not middle eastern as most of the Pakistani thinks). The reason Pakistan or other Islamic countries are not so progressive as they are hostage of their own religion.

@Munir Mian, Pakisthan SUNNIS and Iraanian's SHIA's are not good will and brotherwood. They are always enemies life long. So India Hindus are very good friends of Iranians. This what India make buissness with Iran as historical Moghuls relation with India not with Pakisthan. India is super giant economic emergent country in Asia.

@IBN E ASHFAQUE, In every country people starve and their % changes. US, China, Russia, UK .... all are improving quality of life everyday of their people and making progress as well. US was not same country as it is now when they went to moon. Anyway, this is about science and business reason that is beyond people like you.

Pakistan should learn something to survive in future with an honour.....

@Akram When will it happen? we have been hearing the great stories of geo-strategic location of Pakistan ever since we were born. What is the advantage of such a location when the economy is tanking? Blame it on anyone as it is an easy Pakistani pass-time; but we have failed on every front, Social, education, economy, welfare. Some hard-headed folks are stuck on the K-word; It's lime for us Pakistanis to look at how to move forward and not be stuck in history. We will be history if we focus too much on history.

@Pakht - Boy, it must hurt real bad to speak with such venom!

Chabahar could be just another lost opportunity for recurring revenue for Pakistan, if solely from an Oil perspective. Why are most Pakistanis looking at this solely from a military perspective? With Afghanistan it is an issue of 'strategic depth', with Iran it is Shia-Sunni issues driven by KSA, with USA it is 'i-have-no-idea-may-be-several-including-terrorism-related-issues', and with India it is Kashmir. Kashmir is all-consuming. How much more does Pakistan want to invest in this policy? Of course Pakistani military budget to constantly match Indian military investments will only mean that a bigger chunk of the taxpayer's money is being diverted to un-achievable goals. Kashmir policy is a drain on your Treasury. Pakistani military may be able to muzzle their civilian government and pubic. But how can it muzzle anything beyond Pakistan's borders? While India does not adequately articulate its' position in terms of regaining Pakistan 'occupied' Kashmir, Pakistan is unlikely ever to wrest control of the Indian side of Kashmir.

@Ahmed USA Talk to Pak Prime Minister more about it - Education and Proverty, don't preach India from the US.

@IBN E ASHFAQUE The money spent on Mars mission by India cannot even buy one cup of tea to your so called "one third poor indians". Go figure.