India races to save Chabahar Port as US waiver nears April deadline

New Delhi: India has confirmed it is in ongoing discussions with the United States to ensure that its plans at Iran’s Chabahar Port can proceed beyond the current sanctions waiver deadline.

The waiver, granted by the US Treasury Department, is valid until April 26, 2026, and allows New Delhi to maintain its development role at the port without facing penalties under US sanctions regimes.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is working “within this framework” and engaging the US side to secure continuity for its operations, which are considered crucial for regional connectivity.

Chabahar Port, located in southeastern Iran near the Gulf of Oman, is seen by New Delhi as a strategic gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, enabling trade and transit routes that bypass Pakistan. India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement in 2024 for Indian operations at the port, moving from earlier stopgap arrangements toward long-term engagement.

Washington had previously granted India a six-month sanction waiver extension beginning in late 2025, providing relief for New Delhi’s connectivity plans after revoking earlier exemptions. Analysts say the current waiver’s impending expiry has prompted renewed diplomatic engagement to avoid disruption to the port’s development and its role in regional logistics.

Chabahar has also been used to ship humanitarian aid — including food grains and medical supplies — and figures in broader initiatives such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which aims to connect India with Central Asia and Europe.

India’s efforts reflect the port’s growing significance as a regional trade hub. Countries such as Uzbekistan have expressed interest in using Chabahar as an alternative trade gateway, as landlocked economies seek routes that reduce reliance on traditional corridors and rival infrastructure networks.

The outcome of India–US talks on a possible extension of the waiver will be closely watched, as it affects not only India’s strategic outreach to Afghanistan and Central Asia but also its ability to balance complex geopolitical relationships involving Iran, Washington and neighbouring states.