Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited, an India-based port infrastructure company, operates approximately 10 ports/terminals spread across over five states of India, including Gujarat, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha. However, beginning from November 15, all Adani ports will no longer handle the export and import of container cargoes from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Despite Adani Ports, which is part of the Adani Group conglomerate, not giving an official reason for this action, this move is quite apparently political. This demonstrates the reality that even private interests, like businesses, are subject to the games of states and diplomatic politics. This move should be taken as a hostile step on behalf of the Indian government towards international trade. It must also be noted that though the suspension of operations from containers cargoes from these countries occurred after Indian officials allegedly seized nearly three tonnes of heroin originating from Afghanistan worth an estimated 2.65 billion from two containers at western Gujarat’s Mundra Port, Adani Ports went on to suspend operations from cargo containers from not just Afghanistan, where the objectionable material was being sent from, but also penalised containers from Iran and Pakistan as well. This is a blatant attempt to lump Pakistan and Iran with Afghanistan, presumably as a way to paint Pakistan as a troublemaker to the US and western powers. However, this move will only end up backfiring. In matters such as trade, unnecessary shots and fights are counterproductive, especially for a country like India which is already known for stirring up trouble unprompted in the region. This shows India’s trust deficit with Iran as well and constitutes unnecessarily hostile behaviour towards Iran, which can only push Pakistan and Iran together. With engagement with Tehran on both defence and parliamentarian levels this week, we must look to step up the relationship.
