India hopeful to open Chabahar port in Iran by 2018

Keeping hopes up for India's plans to develop the Chabahar port in Iran, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari conveyed that it would be operational by 2018. The port will help India reap benefits from the oil-rich Persian Gulf. Its location close to Pakistan's unstable Balochistan region further helps India. Gadkari said that he was also hopeful of certain approvals from the Iranian government for expediting work.