India Seeks US Extension for Chabahar Port Sanctions Waiver
India is actively pursuing an extension of the US sanctions waiver for Iran’s Chabahar Port, a key trade gateway to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Russia. As the current waiver nears expiration, regional partners like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are interested in using Chabahar for trade diversification. Delhi views the port as vital for regional connectivity and is negotiating to maintain its strategic access despite US policy shifts.
India has intensified diplomatic efforts to secure an extension for the US sanctions waiver covering Iran’s Chabahar Port, which is central to New Delhi’s trade connectivity with Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Russia. The Chabahar Port allows India to bypass Pakistan, reach regional markets, and serve as a counterbalance to China’s Belt and Road-linked Gwadar port. With the current waiver approaching expiration, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan have also expressed interest in leveraging Chabahar to diversify their own trade routes. In addition, Russia is exploring the port’s potential for access to Indian and broader Asian markets. Recently, Tehran hosted a trilateral meeting among India, Iran, and Uzbekistan to promote the port’s use and expand cross-border transport corridors. New Delhi is concurrently negotiating a partial free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, which could benefit from Chabahar’s connectivity. The port remains crucial for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including recent shipments of medical supplies and ambulances. India underlines the port’s importance for economic cooperation in the region and is actively engaged with Washington to ensure the continuity of this strategic exemption amid shifting US foreign policy priorities.
