Deputy Head of Sistan-Baluchestan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department Mojtaba Mirhosseini told IRNA on Wednesday that Indonesian ambassador arrived in the province at the head of a delegation on a two-day official visit to explore ways for promoting economic and tourism cooperation, IRNA reported.

Examining capacities of Milak and Mirjaveh border terminals to help promote economic and tourism development, holding talks with Sistan Baluchestan governor-general and activists of private sector are on the ambassador’s agenda, he said.

Holding the Tourism Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) will also be discussed during the Indonesian ambassador’s meeting with directors of private sectors’ tourism firms, Mirhosseini said.

Chabahar Port is located on the southeastern coast of Iran and is about 72 km away from Gwadar Port of Pakistan.

India and Iran first agreed to plans to further develop Shahid Beheshti port in 2003 but did not do so on account of sanctions against Iran. As of 2016, the port has ten berths. In May 2016, India and Iran signed a bilateral agreement in which India would refurbish one of the berths at Shahid Beheshti port, and reconstruct a 600-meter long container handling facility at the port.

The port is intended to provide an alternative for trade between India and Afghanistan. This port is 800 kilometers closer to Afghanistan than Pakistan’s Karachi port. The port handled 2.1 million tons of cargo in 2015, which is planned to be upgraded to handle 8.5 million tons by 2016 and to 86 million tons in the future.

Indonesia-Chabahar sea line will play a new role in Iran’s economic relations.