New Delhi, April 25 -- India plans to fast-track work on expanding the Chabahar port and providing rail links from the strategic port to Iran's border with Central Asia, a senior official said, a move aimed at countering Pakistan's China-backed Gwadar port.

Chabahar provides India with an alternative access point to Central Asia and Afghanistan, bypassing both Pakistan and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This offers India greater regional connectivity and trade options, reducing its reliance on Pakistan and potentially strengthening its geopolitical influence in the region.

"We have been told by Iranian authorities that a key railway line connecting Chabahar port with Iranian railway network would be ready in a year's time....