India, Iran sign bilateral seafarer pact

Context

India and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the smooth movement of seafarers between both countries.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed on recognition of Certificates of Competency in Unlimited Voyages.
It aims to help seafarers from both countries as per the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (1978).
The role of Chabahar as a trade multiplier for the region was highlighted during the event as the potential of the port to act as a swift, economical trade conduit between Central Asia and South Asia, and even South East Asia, remains to be tapped fully.
- Shahid Behesti Port is likely to act as a catalyst to unlock the huge trade potential in the region.
- For India, the Shahid Behesti terminal of Chabahar Port is a crucial cog in the potentially game-changing International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

The seafarer agreement is the first tangible development after years of dormancy owing to the unfulfilled potential of the port and Covid-related restrictions.
The MoU has been signed as per the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (1978).
This agreement will smoothen the movement of seafarers from both countries.

It sets qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships.
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) was adopted in 1978 by a conference at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London.
It entered into force in 1984.

The 1978 STCW Convention was the first to establish basic requirements for training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level.
It prescribes minimum standards relating to training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers which countries are obliged to meet or exceed.
One especially important feature of the Convention is that it applies to ships of non-party States when visiting ports of States which are Parties to the Convention.

India-Iran relations span millennia marked by meaningful interactions.
The two countries shared a border till 1947 and share several common features in their language, culture and traditions.
India-Iran share close civilizational ties since the times of the Persian Empire and Indian kingdoms.
The “Tehran Declaration” signed during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to Iran affirmed the shared vision of the two countries for an “equitable, pluralistic and co-operative international order”.
It recognized the then Iranian President Mohammad Khatami’s vision of a “dialogue among civilisations” as a paradigm of international relations based on principles of tolerance, pluralism and respect for diversity.

It is located in the Indian Ocean in the Sistan province of Iran.
It is slated to be India’s gateway for trade with central Asian and European nations, along with increased engagement with Russia, once its potential is leveraged by linking it to INSTC.
It was developed with Indian assistance and is currently operated by state-owned India Ports Global.
Chabahar Port provides an option of alternate supply route to everyone, thus reducing the importance of Pakistan with respect to trade.
It is located on the Gulf of Oman and is only 72 km away from the Gwadar port in Pakistan which has been developed by China.
China is aggressively pursuing its own Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) under the One Belt One Road (OBOR) project.
In future, the Chabahar project and the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) will complement each other by optimising Indian connectivity with Russia and Eurasia.
It gives India direct access to Afghanistan and other Central Asian Republics.

The legal framework for the INSTC is provided by a trilateral agreement signed by India, Iran and Russia at the Euro-Asian Conference on Transport in 2000.
It aims to reduce the carriage cost between India and Russia by about 30% and reduce the transit time from 40 days by more than half.
The corridor is expected to consolidate the emerging Eurasian Free Trade Area.
It is a 7,200-km multi-modal transport corridor that combines road, rail and maritime routes connecting Russia and India via Central Asia and Iran.
It links the Indian Ocean to the Caspian Sea via the Persian Gulf onwards into Russia and Northern Europe.
It offers the shortest connectivity route between India and Russia.