New Delhi is actively engaging with key stakeholders to mitigate the impact of the US administration’s latest move to revoke sanction waivers related to Iran’s Chabahar port. The development has sent ripples through India’s diplomatic and strategic circles, as the port remains a critical gateway for New Delhi’s regional connectivity ambitions.
A senior official from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reaffirmed India’s commitment to the project on Monday, emphasizing its role in fostering trade linkages with Central Asia and facilitating Afghanistan’s reconstruction. The official reiterated that the Chabahar port has provided a viable alternative route to war-torn Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan, and remains crucial for regional stability.
“The Chabahar port is a cornerstone of India-Iran ties and a vital link for humanitarian aid and economic cooperation in the region,” said MEA Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar at an event commemorating the 46th anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution. He highlighted that the long-term contract signed last year for Chabahar’s development marked a “significant milestone” in bilateral ties and underscored its strategic importance.
The fresh sanctions directive, part of US President Donald Trump’s revived “maximum pressure” campaign, threatens to derail India’s multi-billion-dollar investments in the port. Trump’s memorandum instructs the US Secretary of State to review and potentially rescind all sanction waivers, including those that provided limited economic relief for Chabahar’s development.
The timing of the move adds to the complexity of India’s diplomatic manoeuvring, coming just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled bilateral meeting with Donald Trump in Washington later this week. Indian officials are expected to raise the issue during high-level discussions, seeking assurances that Chabahar’s strategic significance will be recognized, particularly given its role in providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
New Delhi is also exploring alternative strategies to shield its engagement with Iran from potential economic and financial repercussions. Experts suggest that India could leverage its growing global influence to negotiate exemptions or seek backing from other regional players invested in Chabahar’s development.
As India treads a fine line between its longstanding ties with Iran and its deepening strategic partnership with the US, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of the Chabahar project and its broader implications for regional connectivity.
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