Chabahar Port strategic importance for India

Chabahar Port is located in Iran (in Sistan-Baluchestan province) and provides India with direct maritime access to the Persian Gulf and onwards to Afghanistan and Central Asia without transiting through Pakistan. This is the strategic significance of the port—it offers India an alternative route bypassing Pakistan's territory and ports for trade with Afghanistan, Central Asia, and beyond. Option (a) is incorrect because Chabahar does not significantly improve trade with Africa. Option (b) is not the primary strategic driver, though improved Middle East relations are a secondary benefit. Option (d) is incorrect as Pakistan is unlikely to facilitate such infrastructure benefiting India, and the pipeline is not the main purpose. The port's critical advantage is reducing India's dependence on Pakistan-controlled routes for regional connectivity. > Chabahar Strategy: Iran route bypasses Pakistan — India gains independent access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Answer: (c).