Economy of Asia has always been a key factor in the growth of global economy and the silk route has always been very essential. The Great Oasis cities of central Asia played a crucial role in the effective functioning of the Silk Road trade.
North-Asian regions mostly throughout the year don’t have access to warm waters and the silk route is the only channel they could utilize for economic transportation and other economic activities. Warm waters is a basic need for every country, for the purpose of expanding its vast economic activities. The distance between Persian Gulf and Shanghai is almost 7,000 nautical miles (almost 12,000 Kms) which is normally covered in 29 to 30 days and is a huge limitation. The limitation unveils the necessity of a big invention that can provide an alternative to the long sea route, definitely a shorter route that can bring warm waters closer to the North-Asian region. The big-dreamers then decided to pave a way that would connect north-Asian region (Peoples Republic of China) to South-Asian region (Islamic Republic of Pakistan).
A shorter route cuts down the distance from 12,000 Kms to 2,400 Kms for north-Asian region and that is not less than a revolutionary invention of 21st century. Now, North-Asian region – especially China – have access to the Warm waters throughout the year, and to the Middle East and Persian Gulf as well. Importance of Middle Eastern markets and Persian Gulf is well understood by the top economists around the world. Soon after Gawadar Port started operating, the port and shipping authorities decided to kick-off ferry services on the route of Karachi-Gwadar-Chabahar by the mid of March 2017. Ferry services would boost the tourism as well as pump a boost in cultural exchange. Ferry service will cost almost 40% less than the Rs 45,000 for a return air ticket to Iran. One million pilgrims travel to Iran from Pakistan every year.
This is very informative article and cleared the importance of silk route.
Well enlightened