KABUL - President Rouhani said during the ceremony that the inauguration of the project  marked a historic day for Iran – particularly for the people of Chabahar.
The first phase of Chabahar also known as Shahid Beheshti International Port in Chabahar, Sistan-Baluchestan Province, was inaugurated by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during a ceremony also attended by officials and dignitaries from 17 countries, according media reports.
President Rouhani said during the ceremony that the inauguration of the project marked a historic day for Iran – particularly for the people of Chabahar.
He emphasized that the project was specifically important given that it connected the trade corridors that pass through Iran to the ocean. 
“This port is also significant from the political point of view given that it connects Iran with its eastern and northern neighbors and at a later stage to European states,” Rouhani said.
About two and a half years ago, Afghanistan, India and Iran signed a trilateral agreement based on which Afghanistan and India would ship their goods through Chabahar port.
Chabahar is an open sea-port in Iran’s Sistan Balochistan province. The port has a great capacity of shipping goods and services especially for a land-locked country like Afghanistan.
India’s state television, Doordarshan on Saturday said that the port with a billion dollars investment would be opened by the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani tomorrow, December 3.
The source said that an Indian delegation lead by the country’s shipping minister would attend the inauguration ceremony of the port.
According to Indian authorities, the port would have the capacity of transportation of 8.3 million tons.
The Ministry of Commerce of Afghanistan said a delegation from Afghanistan headed by commerce minister, Mohammad Hamayon Rasa would also participate the ceremony.
India has recently started shipping operations through Chabahar port and sent so far two wheat shipments to Afghanistan.

With the launch of trade via Chabahar port, trade relations would improve not only between India and Afghanistan, but with Iran and other central Asian countries. (Pajhwok)