India remains engaged with US on conditional sanctions waiver for Chabahar Project: MEA

India remains engaged with the United States on the conditional sanctions waiver linked to the Iran-related Chabahar project, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said while responding to questions on recent

developments.

The MEA said it is closely following developments related to the 25% additional tariffs. It underlined that India has a long-standing partnership and relationship with Iran, with bilateral trade amounting to $1.6 billion. India’s exports to Iran stand at $1.2 billion, while imports are valued at $0.4 billion.

Also Read: US decision to revoke sanctions waiver for Chabahar port will have implications for India

The ministry recalled that on October 28, 2025, the US Department of the Treasury issued a letter outlining guidance on a conditional sanctions waiver, which is valid till April 26, 2026.

The MEA said India continues to remain engaged with the US side in working out the arrangement.

Earlier, on Monday (January 12), US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social that any country doing business withIran will face a 25% tariff.

The tariff will be applicable on "any and all business being done with the United States of America and is effective immediately," Trump wrote on his social media account.

Iran is currently facing anti-government protests and Trump has encouraged them, stating over the weekend that the US stands ready to help.

Chabahar Port story

New Delhi had proposed to develop Chabahar port way back in 2003, to provide Indian goods a gateway to reach landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia using a road and rail project called International North-South Transport Corridor, bypassing Pakistan.

US sanctions on Iran over its suspected nuclear programme had slowed the development of the port.

The long-term agreement was signed by Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) and the Port & Maritime Organisation of Iran.

It replaces an initial 2016 pact, which covered India’s operations at Shahid Beheshti terminal in Chabahar port and had been renewed on an annual basis.

In 2023, Chabahar port was used by India to send 20,000 tonnes of wheat aid to Afghanistan. In 2021, the same was used to supply environmentally friendly pesticides to Iran.