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Chabahar Port

India has extended the US sanctions waiver for operations at Iran's Chabahar port till early next year, ensuring that one of New Delhi's most important regional connectivity projects will remain unaffected.

According to the report of CNN-News18, with this decision, India has got permission to continue the operation of Shaheed Beheshti Terminal through its public sector company, India Ports Global Limited (IPGL). The renewal of the exemption has come as a big relief, which will help India bypass Pakistan to continue humanitarian and trade activities and strengthen relations with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

What is Chabahar Port Project?

Chabahar Port, located in South-East Iran, is one of the most strategically important maritime projects for India. This is India's only direct access point to Iran through the Arabian Sea, which bypasses Pakistan. The purpose of this project is to provide a shorter and more reliable trade route for countries like Afghanistan and Central Asia, especially Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Under the 10-year agreement signed in 2024, India operates the Shahid Beheshti Terminal through IPGL, which oversees port operations, infrastructure development and trade route enhancement. This port is also being connected to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which is a major trade network connecting India, Iran, Russia and Central Asia.

India's big victory

According to CNN-News18, the extension of the exemption will allow India to continue the development of Chabahar Port without any interruption, which will keep important regional trade routes open. India has been using this port to send wheat and medical supplies to Afghanistan and other landlocked countries, where access through Pakistan route is not possible.

This project is also in alignment with India's broader foreign policy objectives to counter China's growing influence in the region. China has invested heavily in Pakistan-based Gwadar Port, a rival of Iran's Chabahar, which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). By maintaining its presence in Chabahar, India is achieving a balance both economically and strategically.