US Sanctions Won’t Apply to India’s Chabahar Port: MEA
Exemption effective retrospectively from October 29; India reaffirms commitment to regional connectivity and trade
- MEA confirms American sanctions do not apply to India’s Chabahar Port project in Iran.
- Exemption applies retrospectively from October 29, following $370 million investment plan by India Ports Global Ltd.
- India continues discussions with the US to finalise a major trade deal.
- MEA also reviewing implications of US sanctions on Russian oil firms to safeguard national energy security.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th Oct: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday announced that American sanctions will not apply to India’s operations at Iran’s Chabahar Port, effective retrospectively from October 29. The move safeguards India’s long-term investment and strategic interests in the region.
The announcement follows the 10-year bilateral agreement signed last year between India and Iran, under which the state-run India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) committed $370 million to develop and manage the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar. Located in Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan province, the port serves as a vital gateway for India’s trade access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
“The rule regarding US sanctions will not apply to India’s Chabahar Port,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed, adding that the port remains crucial for India’s humanitarian and regional outreach.
The exemption comes amid ongoing negotiations between India and the United States on finalising a major trade deal. “Both sides are continuing discussions. For further updates, please refer to the Ministry of Commerce,” Jaiswal said.
The MEA also clarified that India is assessing the impact of recent US sanctions on Russian oil companies. “Our decisions naturally take into account the evolving dynamics of the global market,” Jaiswal said, reaffirming India’s focus on energy security through diversified sourcing.
In 2018, the Trump administration had similarly granted India a special waiver for Chabahar, recognising its strategic and humanitarian importance. The latest exemption further underscores Washington’s continued acknowledgment of India’s developmental role in the region.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently stated that India and the US are “very near” to finalising a trade deal but emphasised that New Delhi “will not rush into any agreement under pressure.”
