India signed an agreement in 2016 to develop a strategic seaport in one of its neighbouring countries. What is the name of this port?

Introduction / Context:
Strategic ports and connectivity projects are key elements of India's foreign policy and regional cooperation. In 2016, India signed a high profile agreement to develop a strategic port in a neighbouring country, aimed at improving trade routes and providing an alternative access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. This question asks you to recall the name of that port, which has frequently appeared in news and exam questions related to international relations and geography.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Four port names are given: Chabahar, Gwadar, Hambantota and Mongla. - The agreement was signed in 2016. - The port is in a neighbouring country and is considered strategic. - We assume the commonly discussed agreement involving India's investment and development role.

Concept / Approach:
Chabahar is a port in Iran that India agreed to develop, providing India with a route to Afghanistan and Central Asia that bypasses Pakistan. The trilateral agreement involving India, Iran and Afghanistan was widely reported in 2016. Gwadar is a port in Pakistan developed primarily with Chinese assistance under the Belt and Road Initiative. Hambantota is a Sri Lankan port built with Chinese investment. Mongla is a port in Bangladesh. While India has cooperative relationships with some of these locations, the 2016 strategic development agreement that attracted major attention was specifically about the Chabahar Port in Iran.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Remember that India's 2016 strategic port agreement was signed with Iran. Step 2: Recall that the port in question is Chabahar, located on Iran's south eastern coast along the Gulf of Oman. Step 3: Recognise that Gwadar is in Pakistan and associated mainly with China's China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, not with India's development plans. Step 4: Note that Hambantota is in Sri Lanka and was largely financed and leased by China, not India. Step 5: Mongla is a port in Bangladesh where India may engage in trading activities but is not the focus of the 2016 strategic port development agreement. Step 6: Therefore, the correct answer is Chabahar.

Verification / Alternative check:
All major news reports in 2016 highlighted the signing of the Chabahar agreement as a counter balance to China's involvement in Gwadar. The strategic narrative emphasised that Chabahar would give India landlocked Afghanistan an alternative sea access and enhance India–Iran ties. None of the other ports had such a 2016 landmark agreement with India as the principal developer. Remembering this geopolitical storyline helps verify that Chabahar is the port referred to in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gwadar is wrong because it is primarily a China backed port in Pakistan, part of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, and not developed by India.

Hambantota is wrong as it is a Sri Lankan port that became known for Chinese investment and lease arrangements, not an Indian led strategic development project in 2016.

Mongla is wrong because, while India may have cooperative ties with Bangladesh, the high profile 2016 strategic development agreement was not centred on this port.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often confuse Chabahar and Gwadar because both are deep sea ports in the same broader region and frequently appear in discussions about India–China strategic competition. Another pitfall is to assume that any port in a neighbouring country where India has trade ties must be the one mentioned, without paying attention to the specific year and nature of the agreement. To avoid confusion, remember the pairing "Chabahar – India and Iran" and "Gwadar – Pakistan and China" as separate strategic narratives.

Final Answer:
The strategic port that India agreed to develop under a 2016 agreement is Chabahar.