GS2 · India-West Asia

Coast Guard ship’s first-ever call at Chabahar

Battle IAS current affairs title card: Coast Guard ship's first-ever call at Chabahar (GS2 · India-West Asia, 17 December 2025)
Asked by UPSCPrelims 20171 PYQ

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

What happened

  • ICG offshore patrol vessel Sarthak visited Chabahar, Iran, from 16 to 19 December 2025, the first visit by an Indian Coast Guard ship to the port [PIB].
  • Joint activities covered maritime search and rescue, law enforcement and marine pollution response [PIB].

Background

  • Chabahar is a deep-water port that gives India a direct route to Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia, avoiding Pakistan [PIB].

Why it matters

  • The visit is linked to the MAHASAGAR approach. US sanctions on Iran remain the main risk for Chabahar.

How to use this in Mains

GS-II Regional groupings and India's interests

  1. As per PIB (2025-12-17): ICG offshore patrol vessel Sarthak visited Chabahar, Iran, from 16 to 19 December 2025, the first visit by an Indian Coast Guard ship to the port.
  2. The visit is linked to the MAHASAGAR approach. US sanctions on Iran remain the main risk for Chabahar.
Quotable data point

ICG offshore patrol vessel Sarthak visited Chabahar, Iran, from 16 to 19 December 2025, the first visit by an Indian Coast Guard ship to the port.

PIB: Defence: ICG Sarthak at Chabahar, 17 Dec 2025

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: Chabahar location. · Mains: connectivity to Central Asia.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Chabahar port is in

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Type of ICG Sarthak

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Chabahar gives India access to Afghanistan bypassing

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Official source: PIB: Defence: ICG Sarthak at Chabahar, 17 Dec 2025

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending