India has signed a historic 10-year agreement with Iran to operate the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar Port. The deal has come under strong scrutiny from the United States, which has warned India of the potential risks of sanctions.
A day after the US warning, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded strongly, saying the Chabahar port project would benefit the entire region and should not be viewed through a narrow prism. Speaking in Kolkata during the launch of the Bengali edition of his book “Why India Matters”, Jaishankar highlighted that the US had earlier acknowledged the strategic importance of the Chabahar port.
America warns India on Chabahar deal
On Tuesday, the US issued a warning about engaging in trade deals with Iran, emphasizing the risk of sanctions. US State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said, “US sanctions on Iran remain in place and will remain in place.” Asked whether Indian companies could face sanctions, Patel reiterated that anyone considering doing business with Iran is at risk.
Details of Chabahar Port Agreement
The agreement signed between India Ports Global Limited and Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization is the first time that India will manage a port abroad. Chabahar Port, located in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province on the southern coast, is a joint development project between India and Iran. The Indian Embassy in Iran announced the deal through a post on social media platform X.
What about Hambantota port??