India in talks with US, Iran over Chabahar Port future
With the United States' sanctions waiver for Iran's Chabahar Port expiring on April 26, India on Monday confirmed that discussions are ongoing with both Iran and the United States, noting that the evolving regional conflict has added complexity to the issue.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the matter during an inter-ministerial briefing on the West Asia situation, stating that negotiations are actively underway.
"Regarding Chabahar and where we stand, the issue is under discussion with both Iran and the United States. The current conflict is also a complicating factor. We will keep you posted as the situation evolves," Jaiswal said in response to queries about the project's status following the waiver's expiration.
The Chabahar Port project is considered strategically significant for India, as it provides a vital transit route for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. It has also been viewed as a key component in supporting Afghanistan's reconstruction and enhancing regional economic connectivity.
The backdrop to the current uncertainty dates to September 16, 2025, when the US State Department revoked a sanctions exception originally granted in 2018 under the Iran Freedom and Counter Proliferation Act, which had allowed India to develop the port for Afghanistan's economic benefit. The revocation became effective on September 29, 2025.
However, following diplomatic engagement, the US later issued guidance extending a conditional waiver until April 26, 2026. The Indian government had informed Parliament earlier this year that it remained in active dialogue with all relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact of these developments.
With the waiver now lapsed and geopolitical tensions rising in West Asia, the future of India's involvement in the Chabahar project remains uncertain, pending the outcome of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
