US Grants India Six-Month Sanctions Waiver for Chabahar Port
The US has granted India a six-month exemption from sanctions on the Chabahar Port in Iran, enabling India to continue its investments and operations in this strategic trade hub. This waiver supports India's regional connectivity plans by providing a trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia that bypasses Pakistan. India and the US are also engaged in ongoing trade deal negotiations.
India secured a six-month waiver from US sanctions on the Chabahar Port project in Iran, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. The waiver permits India to maintain operations and investments in the port without facing US punitive measures, highlighting the port’s importance for regional connectivity and India’s long-term economic interests. The waiver follows India's 10-year agreement with Iran to develop the port, with India Ports Global Ltd pledging $370 million investment. Chabahar serves as a vital trade gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan and supporting India's strategic objectives. This exemption continues a pattern of US sanctions waivers on Chabahar since 2018, reflecting its strategic and humanitarian significance. Both countries maintain active dialogue to finalize a broader trade agreement. Additionally, the MEA disclosed updates on Indian nationals deported from the US and UK for legal residency issues, noting verification procedures were followed. The waiver ensures ongoing Indian projects at Chabahar and reinforces India’s position in regional trade and connectivity, contrasting with China’s investments in the nearby Gwadar Port in Pakistan. The extension of this waiver enables India to deepen strategic economic ties and maintain influence in a geopolitically sensitive region despite renewed US sanctions on Iran.[1][2][3][4]
