New Delhi Reaffirms Commitment to Chabahar Project Despite US Pressure

DID Press: Despite new U.S. sanctions and cancellation of sanction waivers, India continues to move forward with the development and management of Iran’s Chabahar Port.

Even as new U.S. sanctions against Iran take effect and previous exemptions are withdrawn, India remains steadfast in advancing the Chabahar Port project.

Recognized as a strategic gateway connecting India to Central and Western Asia, Chabahar stands as one of India’s most significant long-term regional infrastructure initiatives.

Kabir Taneja, a researcher at India’s Observer Research Foundation (ORF), underscored the port’s strategic importance, saying:
“Chabahar plays a vital role in facilitating India’s trade with Central Asian nations, Afghanistan, and Iran. Despite the threats posed by U.S. sanctions, India remains firmly committed to completing this project.”

The port serves not only as a commercial hub but also as a central element of India’s broader policy to strengthen ties with neighboring countries and expand its regional influence, he added.

Taneja further noted that India, having experienced previous waves of sanctions and the U.S. withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal in 2018, is now better prepared to navigate the renewed challenges posed by Washington’s latest measures.

Under the framework of a 10-year bilateral agreement with Iran, New Delhi is obligated to oversee the port’s development and management for over a decade.

Chabahar remains a crucial trade corridor linking India with Central and Western Asia, and according to analysts, the project is unlikely to be significantly disrupted by the new sanctions.