Chabahar Port

Why in news?

• India and Iran signed a 10-year contract for the operation of Chabahar Port.

About

• The long-term agreement was signed between Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL) and Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran, enabling operation of the Shahid-Beheshti terminal. 
• The pact replaces one-year contractsthat were being signed to keep the port operational until now.
• India has also offered a credit window equivalent to $250 million for mutually identified projectsaimed at improving Chabahar-related infrastructure.

Chabahar Port

• Iran’s Chabahar port is located on theGulf of Oman and is the only oceanic port of the country. 
• It is situated in thecity of Chabahar in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
• Chabahar has two ports;Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti.
  • The former is an old port with limited water front to accommodate feeder vessels.
  • The Shahid Beheshti Port is being developed in four phases. On completion of all 4 phases, port capacity will 82 million tons per year.
• The port gives access to theenergy-rich Persian Gulf nations’ southern coast and bypasses Pakistan.
• Kandla port in Gujaratis the closest port at 550 nautical miles, while the distance between Chabahar and Mumbai is 786 nautical miles.

Significance of Chabahar Port for India

• Geopolitical Significance:It is strategically located at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. It provides India with direct sea access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
  • The port also offers an alternative route from the Strait of Hormuzfor cargo traffic between Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. This diversification strengthens India’s strategic position in the region.
• Gateway to INSTC:Chabahar port will boost India’s access to Iran, the key gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) that has sea, rail and road routes between India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia.
• Countering China:Chabahar port is beneficial to India in countering Chinese presence in the Arabian Sea which China is trying to ensure by helping Pakistan develop the Gwadar port.
  • Gwadar port is less than 400 km from Chabahar by road and 100 km by sea.
• Trade Benefit: With Chabahar port becoming functional, there will be a significant boost in the import of iron ore, sugar and rice to India.
  • The import cost of oil to India will also see a considerable decline.

Brief on India and Iran Relations

• Political Relations:India and Iran signed a friendship treaty in 1950. The two countries have in place several Bilateral Consultative Mechanisms at various levels including the Joint Committee Meeting (JCM), Foreign Office

Consultations (FOC), Security Consultations at the level of National Security Advisers.

• India and Iran also have Joint Working Groups to facilitate cooperation in various important sectors.
• Economic Relations: India-Iran bilateral trade during the FY 2022-23 was $2.33 billion, registering a growth of 21.76%.
  • India and Iran have also been trying to diversify theirchannels of payment to increase bilateral trade.
• Energy Cooperation:India has consistently been among the top importers of Iranian oil, although this relationship has faced challenges due to international sanctions on Iran.
• Regional Stability: India and Iran share concerns and interests in the stability of the region, especially in the context of Afghanistan.
  • The two nations have collaborated on various initiatives to address common security challenges.

Areas of Concerns 

• International Sanctions: Iran has faced international sanctions, particularly in relation to its nuclear program.
  • These sanctions have affected economic relations between India and Iran, especially in the energy sector.
  • India’s ability to import oil from Iran has been impacted, leading to uncertainties in their energy cooperation.
• Geopolitical Challenges: The geopolitical landscape in the Middle East and South Asia has been complex, and both countries need to navigate carefully to balance their regional interests.
• Security Concerns: The security situation in the region, including the volatile conditions in Afghanistan, has implications for both India and Iran.
  • India has expressed concern as tensions rise in the region. It has maintained a diplomatic dialogue with Iran on issues of concern, such as attacks on India-linked ships by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are believed to have links to Iran.
• Chabahar Port Development: While the development of the Chabahar Port is a significant project, progress has been slower than anticipated.
• Impact of External Powers: Both India and Iran have relationships with external players that may not align with each other’s interests.
  • The influence of external powers in the region can complicate their bilateral dynamics and create challenges for mutual cooperation.
• Nuclear Deal Uncertainties:The uncertainties surrounding the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) and the potential for changes in the international approach toward Iran’s nuclear program can impact the diplomatic and economic relations between India and Iran.

Way Ahead

• Although India has followed a balancing act in the Middle East, the evolving geopolitical realignments could pose newer challenges for India to deepen its cooperation with Iran amid escalating tension between Iran and the West.
• However, both countries continue to explore opportunities for collaboration and economic partnership.
• India has major investment plans in Iran, largely centered around the Chabahar Port as it gives India a strategic advantage over both China and Pakistan.

Smart Cities Mission

Why in news?

• The Smart Cities Mission (SCM),a flagship programme has taken a back seat in this year’s list of poll promises and achievements.

About

• Smart cities were defined by urban practitioners as new Silicon Valleys built with a strong integration of a network of airports, highways, and other types of communications, a so-called intellectual city with advanced ICT.
• It is an initiative of the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, launched in
• 100 citieshave been selected to be developed as Smart Cities through a two-stage competition for five years.
• The Mission is operated as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• Objective:To promote cities that provide core infrastructure, clean and sustainable environment and give a decent quality of life to their citizens through the application of ‘smart solutions’.
• Thesix fundamental principles on which the concept of Smart Cities is based are:

Key Features

• The SCM had two main aspects:area-based development consisting of three components — redevelopment (city renewal), retrofitting (city improvement), and green field projects (city extension); and pan-city solutions based on ICT.
• These further comprised some six categoriesthat would include e-governance, waste management, water management, energy management, urban mobility, and skill development. 
• Four pillars: Social Infrastructure, Physical Infrastructure, Institutional Infrastructure, Economic Infrastructure.
• Integrated Command and Control Centre: These ICCCs are designed to enable authorities to monitor the status of various amenities in real time.
  • The ICCC acts as a smart city and acts as a “nerve center” for operations management.
• Other stepstaken under the SCM for digital infrastructure are;
  • Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS), Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD), and Automatic Number Plate Recognition System (ANPR),
  • Digital assets for solid waste and waste-water management and water distribution management,
  • CCTV surveillance systems, smart education and smart health systems.

Status of the SCM

• 8,033 projects sanctioned under the SCM have seen a fall in the total outlayfrom the expected ₹2 lakh crore, which is 16% less than the projected capital flow in 100 cities.
• The SCM grant funded 5,533 projects have been completed, while 921 projects are still ongoing.
• As many as 400 projects being undertaken by about 10 cities under the Mission are unlikely to meet the extended deadline of June 2024.
• The funding pattern shows that not more than 5% has come through the PPP route.

Challenges 

• Diversity in Urban India:The selection of 100 cities on a competitive basis was flawed due to the diversity in existing urban realities.
  • The scheme was divorced from the ground realities of urban India — the urbanisation here is dynamic and not static like the West.
• Financial Constraints: Keeping the funds and finances flowing in for the smart cities mission is a challenge. Most Urban Local Bodies are not even financially self-sustainable.
  • According to McKinsey, to make Indian cities liveable, a capital expenditure of $1.2 trillion is required by 2030. In this context, ₹1,67,875 crore is less than $20 billion in nine years.
• Displacement:Urban India, according to the World Bank has more than 49% of the population living in slums.
  • There was displacement of people living in poorer localities. Street vendors, for example, were displaced and urban commons were disrupted.
• Infrastructure Development: Many Indian cities lack basic infrastructure, such as efficient public transportation, waste management systems, and reliable water and electricity supply.
  • Implementing smart solutions requires significant upgrades to existing infrastructure.

Way Ahead

• Data protection:A robust system is required to protect digital platforms from cyber attack and safeguarding sensitive public and private data adequately.
• Pan city projects:SCM should emphasize more on pan city projects to ensure comprehensive and holistic development.
• Strengthening ULBs:A plan should be made to strengthen ULBs’ capabilities in small cities.
• Public Private Partnerships:The government should analyse the reasons behind low private investments and take remedial steps towards the same.
• Completion of Projects:The Committee recommended that the ministry’s role should not be confined to transfer of share and asked them to remain watchful to ensure execution and completion of the projects by intervening to facilitate with inputs and expertise.