TEHRAN – Donald Trump’s recent order directed the Secretary of State to “amend or withdraw sanctions immunity” on Iran’s Chabahar port project, sparking debate over the future of Iran-India cooperation.
In May 2024, India and Iran signed a 10-year contract for the operation of Iran’s Chabahar port, eight years after agreeing to a general framework for cooperation.
Trump’s intense anti-Iranian “maximum pressure” campaign will ensure observers are able to maintain their promises that will prevent the US from affecting bilateral relations with Tehran, or India will face the development of Chabahar port They question whether they were genuinely committed or not. The first place.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araguchi was asked on Sunday about the potential removal of the US sanctions exemption at Chabahar port, and the two countries decided to continue bilateral cooperation. He said he was doing it. “The challenges between Iran and India have always been arising due to third parties’ interference,” said the top diplomat, who said that India is currently engaged in a meeting with Washington on the development of Chabahar port. I added. “We know that the Indians are consulting with Americans regarding the cancellation of the exemption at Chabahar Port, so they will keep their decisions free.”
In a subsequent meeting with his Indian counterparts on the sidelines of an international conference in Muscat, Araguchi is willing to expand Iran’s economic, political and cultural consultations with the South Asian country. He said.
Who is responsible? US, India or Iran?
India’s development of Chabahar port has always been the source of debate within Iran. In India, the perceived lack of progress is often attributed to the effects of Iran’s suspicion of indecisiveness and sanctions. Some Indian voices argue that a 10-year contract is not enough to justify large investments. However, in contrast to Araguchi’s remarks in Muscat, many Iranian critics believe India has never been fully dedicated to the project.
According to economic and trade analyst Maid Shakkari, the US sanctions exemptions related to Chabahar were primarily focused on promoting the transport of Indian goods to Afghanistan. “Revoking the exemption will affect the relocation to Afghanistan primarily with the regular relocation of Indian goods, such as flour and fuel,” he said.
Shakari said that Chabahar port can once offer important benefits for India. It can serve as a counterweight for Pakistan’s Gwadar port and China-Pakistan’s Economic Corridor (CPEC). It has grown meaningfully since the Ukrainian War.
“India believes that even with sanctions in place, we can ensure that more energy and resources can be allocated to the development of Chabahar port,” Shakeli said. The relationship between Prime Minister Modi and his family in India, which operates major private companies, could also encourage private sector involvement. ”
Under current circumstances, Iran should either seek a comprehensive development plan from India or look for domestic and foreign alternatives, analysts said.