India can hand over the stake of Chabahar to the Iranian company: Temporary arrangement will continue till the US sanctions are lifted; India invests 120 million dollars here

India can hand over its stake in Iran’s Chabahar Port to an Iranian company. According to Bloomberg report, this step can be taken temporarily, so that work can continue even after the exemption from US sanctions ends. The report says that India has an investment of 120 million dollars in this port. The Indian government is in separate talks with both America and Iran on this issue. According to the report, this conversation is extremely sensitive and the officials involved have refused to reveal their identities. India got a six-month exemption in November 2025, due to which work on Chabahar Port continued without interruption. This discount is ending this month. India is not planning to completely exit Chabahar. The report clearly states that India is not planning to completely exit the Chabahar project. There are plans to increase connectivity here in the future, including rail links, which will strengthen access to Afghanistan and beyond. India is seeing this temporary transfer as an attempt to create a balance between America and Iran. On one hand America has strict sanctions on Iran, while on the other hand Chabahar Port is an important part of India’s strategy. This port bypasses Pakistan and gives direct access to Afghanistan. Chabahar Port is located near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea route connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Its location makes it strategically more important. Chabahar Port has long been a part of India’s regional strategy. It is also seen as a response to China’s presence in Pakistan’s Gwadar Port. In such a situation, any step to transfer stake can affect regional diplomacy. What has India done so far for the port? India started talks with Iran regarding Chabahar port in 2003 during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Later this process stopped due to increased tension between America and Iran. In 2013, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced an investment of Rs 800 crore in Chabahar Port. In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed the Chabahar Agreement with the leaders of Iran and Afghanistan. Under this agreement, India decided to provide Rs 700 crore for a terminal and a loan of Rs 1,250 crore for the development of the port. In the year 2024, the then Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra met the Foreign Minister of Iran and discussed the issue of connectivity. According to Indian company India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), the Chabahar port will be able to handle 82 million tonnes of cargo when fully ready. 4 big benefits of Chabahar Port for India 1. Access to Central Asia without going through Pakistan India does not have to go through Pakistan to send goods to Afghanistan or other Asian countries. India can send its goods directly to Afghanistan and Central Asia from Iran’s Chabahar Port. This would save both time and money. 2. Trade will increase: India can easily send its goods, medicines, food and industrial products to other countries through Chabahar. This will increase India’s exports and reduce logistics expenses. India finds it easier to buy oil from Iran. Both the countries together will be able to make Chabahar a trade hub. 3. India’s investment will be safe India has invested a lot of money and resources in the development of Chabahar Port. 4. China-Pakistan counter Chabahar Port is close to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port (where China is investing). Therefore this port makes India strategically strong and helps to counter the China-Pakistan nexus.



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