Why in the news?

•  The U.S. announced that the country was revoking its waiver of sanctions over the Iranian port of Chabahar.

Chabahar Port

• Location: Located on the southeastern coast of Iran, along the Gulf of Oman.
• Infrastructure & Development
  • India’s participation through India Ports Global Limited (IPGL).
  • Includes development of Shahid Beheshti terminal.
  • Agreement signed in 2016; India took over operations in 2018.
  • India has supplied equipment like cranes and invested in capacity building.
• Strategic Importance for India
  • Access to Afghanistan & Central Asia: Provides an alternative trade route, avoiding Pakistan’s land route restrictions.
  • Counter to Gwadar Port (Pakistan): Balances China’s presence in Gwadar (part of CPEC).
  • Connectivity Projects: Integrated with International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), linking India–Iran–Russia–Europe.
  • Energy Security: Facilitates crude oil and natural gas imports from Iran and Central Asia.
  • Regional Diplomacy: Enhances India–Iran ties while strengthening relations with Afghanistan.
• Challenges
  • US Sanctions on Iran: Slow progress due to restrictions on banking, insurance, and investments.
  • Geopolitical Tensions: Iran–US rivalry, instability in Afghanistan, and regional power competition.
  • China Factor: Beijing’s deepening engagement with Iran (25-year strategic partnership) competes with India’s role.