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.