May 22, 2021
Pakistan Approves Gwadar Port for Export Operations
The Government of Pakistan has agreed to allow the use of Gwadar Port for export operations, in response to Russia’s interest in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to Pakistan News International.
Russia’s Caspian neighbors, Turkmenistan and Iran, have also expressed interest in using Gwadar Port for trade, highlighting the port’s growing strategic importance in the region.
High-Level Talks Between Pakistan and Russia
As part of this development, the head of the Russian Federal Security Service, Mr. Bortnikov, visited Islamabad and held discussions with senior officials from Pakistan’s intelligence and defense services. Following these talks, Bortnikov expressed Russia’s desire to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. In response, the Pakistani government signaled its approval for Russia to utilize Gwadar Port.
During this period, the Pakistani Prime Minister, while visiting Turkmenistan, welcomed Russia’s interest in joining the economic corridor. An official agreement regarding the port is expected to be signed in the near future.
Strategic Importance of Gwadar Port
Gwadar Port is a crucial node in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Though inaugurated earlier, it became commercially operational in 2021. While state-owned companies hold the port, it is managed by China Overseas Ports Holdings Limited.
Chinese President Xi Jinping reached an agreement with the Pakistani Prime Minister during his visit to Pakistan, emphasizing the development of the CPEC from China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to Gwadar Port. China is expected to invest billions of dollars in the project.
Connecting the Silk Road: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor stretches over 3,000 kilometers, connecting the Silk Road Economic Belt in the north to Gwadar Port in the south. This corridor is a key hub for north-south trade, encompassing roads, railways, oil and gas pipelines, and fiber-optic channels. It is a vital component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, enhancing regional connectivity and trade opportunities.
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