After Years Of US Sanctions, India Scores Big: Washington Grants Six-Month Waiver On Chabahar Port – A Diplomatic Masterstroke Worth $1.4 Billion? | World News
New Delhi: India scored a major diplomatic victory after the US granted a six-month exemption from sanctions linked to the Chabahar Port project in Iran. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the exemption allows New Delhi to continue working on the strategically important port connecting India to Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that talks with the US regarding the trade framework are ongoing. He added that India is also investigating the impact of recent US sanctions on Russian oil companies. The assessment will help India adapt to changing global energy dynamics, officials said.
At a press conference in New Delhi, Jaiswal said India remains guided by the need to ensure affordable and reliable energy supply from multiple sources. He said that this is essential to ensure the energy security of 1.4 billion citizens. He said India’s position has always been shaped by its domestic needs and evolving global market conditions.
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The US had previously issued an order restricting all companies from operating, financing or engaging in transactions related to Chabahar Port, effective September 29. However, the Donald Trump administration temporarily extended the exemptions until October 27. The sanctions had been in effect for nearly three years and were affecting the pace of development of the port. The new six-month exemption effectively restores operational flexibility to India.
New Delhi leased the Chabahar Port from Iran for 10 years in 2024. Under the agreement, India has committed to invest $120 million in port infrastructure and provide an additional $250 million in concessional loans. The port serves as a critical trade route bypassing Pakistan and providing New Delhi with direct access to Afghanistan, Central Asia, Russia and Europe.
Officials see the US waiver as a recognition of India’s strategic importance in maintaining stability and connectivity in the region. This also strengthens India’s role in balancing global supply chains while tackling complex energy and security challenges.
