'India Remains Engaged With US': MEA on Chabahar Port Project as Iran Sanctions, Tariff Threats Loom

India

is continuing discussions with the United States over its involvement in Iran’s strategically located Chabahar port even as Washington moves ahead with fresh trade penalties on countries engaging with Tehran, the External Affairs Ministry said Friday.External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi remains in touch with Washington regarding the sanctions waiver for the Chabahar port project.“As you are aware, on October 28, the US Department of Treasury had issued a letter outlining the guidance on the conditional sanctions waiver valid till April 26, 2026. We remain engaged with the US side in working out this arrangement,” Jaiswal said.

India is a key partner in the development of the port, located in Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan province on the country’s southern coast. The project is viewed as vital for regional connectivity and trade.The remarks came amid reports that India is considering different options for its continued participation in the project following the Donald Trump administration’s announcement of a 25 per cent additional tariff on countries doing business with Iran.India received a six-month exemption from US sanctions for the Chabahar project in September last year, after Washington revoked a 2018 waiver. The exemption is due to expire on April 26.Jaiswal said bilateral trade between India and Iran stood at $1.6 billion last year, with Indian exports accounting for $1.2 billion and imports totalling $400 million.India and Iran have been pushing to integrate Chabahar into the International North-South Transport Corridor, a 7,200-kilometer multimodal route linking India with Iran, Central Asia, Russia and Europe.

Situation in Iran and Indian Nationals

Jaiswal said India is closely monitoring the situation in Iran, which has witnessed widespread anti-government protests in recent weeks.“We are keeping a close watch on the situation there, and as far as our citizens are concerned, we are committed to doing whatever is necessary for their well-being,” he said.

About 9,000 Indian nationals are currently in Iran, most of them students, he added. India has issued multiple advisories asking citizens not to travel to Iran and urging those already there to leave using available means.Tensions have risen after Trump warned of “very strong action” if Iran continues its crackdown on protesters and said “help is on the way” for demonstrators.The protests began after Iran’s currency, the rial, hit record lows and have since spread across all 31 provinces, evolving from economic grievances into demands for political change.