NEW DELHI: As the Trump administration threatens to roll back the sanction waiver that allowed India to develop the strategic Chabahar port in Iran, the Indian government Monday strongly backed the port saying it has provided a much-needed alternative route to Afghanistan for its reconstruction and economic development, while boosting trade linkages with Central Asia.
The remarks by a senior MEA official follow the US restoration last week of its “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran to deny it all paths to a nuclear weapon and to counter its “malign influence” abroad. It saw US President Donald Trump signing a memorandum that calls upon the Secretary of State to modify or rescind sanction waivers, particularly those that provide Iran “any degree of economic or financial relief, including those related to Iran’s Chabahar port project”. The remarks – at an event to mark the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran – also came days before PM Narendra Modi’s bilateral meeting with Trump in Washington on Thursday.
“Regional connectivity has been an important pillar of India, Iran relations. The development of the Chabahar port in southeastern Iran reflects our joint vision for connectivity for mutual benefits,” said MEA secretary (east) Jaideep Mazumdar, while describing the signing of the long-term contract for the development of Chabahar port in May last year as a significant milestone in India-Iran ties.
The port has proven its strong potential. It has emerged as the connecting point for the region in delivering deliver humanitarian assistance, especially during the Covid pandemic, added the official, while listing the amount of assistance delivered to Afghanistan through the port.
India and Iran had in 2015 signed an MoU to facilitate India’s partnership in developing the port. Last year, the 2 sides signed a contract that will have India equipping and operating the Shahid Beheshti terminal of the port over the next 10 years. The port opens up opportunities for India in trade and commerce with Afghanistan and Central Asia, while providing an alternative and reliable access route to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.
As the Indian government maintains, the port’s location in Arabian Sea means it won’t be vulnerable to dangers posed by developments in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. The previous Trump administration had in 2018 exempted Chabahar from US sanctions, acknowledging its role in facilitating reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.
The memorandum also called upon the Secretary of State to modify or rescind existing sanctions waivers and cooperate with the Secretary of Treasury to implement a campaign aimed at driving Iran’s oil exports to zero. India has not been importing crude from Iran for many years now.
“Our economic ties are growing in many fields. Last year, Iran and India signed a long-term agreement to run the Chabahar port, known as the “golden gateway” to connect nations along the Indian Ocean with Central Asia and the Caucasus. Cooperation through the International North–South Transport Corridor is another key example of the strong partnership between our countries,” said Iranian ambassador Iraj Elahi, speaking on the occasion.
