25/04/2026
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25/04/2026
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NEW DELHI, Apr 25: With a crucial US sanctions waiver set to expire in the coming days, India is quietly recalibrating its strategy at Iran's Chabahar port, weighing options that include a temporary divestment without abandoning its long-term ambitions.
Bloomberg News reported, citing officials familiar with the matter, that India is considering various options regarding its stake in the strategically located port, including temporarily transferring it to an Iranian entity. The discussions are ongoing and sensitive, with officials speaking on condition of anonymity.
According to Bloomberg, New Delhi is holding separate talks with both the United States and Iran on how to proceed with its $120 million investment in the port, underscoring the diplomatic tightrope India is walking.
India had secured a six-month waiver in November 2025 for uninterrupted operations at Chabahar, which provides vital trade access to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan.
One option on the table is a tactical pause rather than a full withdrawal. "One of the options is to temporarily transfer the stake to an Iranian entity," an official said.
Crucially, India is not looking to walk away from the project entirely. The report noted that India plans to expand connectivity in the future, including a rail link that would deepen access into Afghanistan and beyond.
The move reflects a delicate balancing act. On one side is Washington's sanctions regime on Iran. On the other is India's strategic investment in Chabahar — a port overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
Chabahar Port has long been central to India's regional strategy, offering a counterweight to China's presence at Pakistan's Gwadar port. Any shift, even temporary, would signal how geopolitical pressures are reshaping infrastructure diplomacy in the region.
