Golden gate to Central Asia: Iran urges India not to abandon Chabahar Port

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday emphasised that the Chabahar Port was a major symbol of India-Iran cooperation and expressed hope that Delhi would continue its investments in the strategic project despite challenges posed by US sanctions. Addressing a media briefing after the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting on Friday, Araghchi also called on India to play a greater diplomatic role in the Middle East region to ensure stability.

"Chabahar port is one of the symbols of cooperation between Iran and India. We are so glad that Indians played an important role in the development of that port," Araghchi said, while ruing that investments have "slowed down" due to US sanctions.

INDIA AND THE CHABAHAR DILEMMA

A sanctions waiver by the US on Chabahar port, India's gateway to landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia by bypassing Pakistan, expired on April 26 this year. In 2024, India entered into a 10-year agreement with Iran to operate the Shahid Beheshti terminal.

In his briefing, Araghchi highlighted the broader economic potential of Chabahar, saying the corridor would help not only India but also European and Central Asian countries gain access to the Indian Ocean.

"This port will be like a golden gate for India to access Central Asia, the Caucasus and then Europe, and also for Europeans, Central Asians and others to access the Indian Ocean," Araghchi said.

The Iranian Foreign Minister urged India to continue its involvement in the project.

"I hope that Indians would continue their work in Chabahar port so it would be fully developed at the service of the interests of India and other countries around," he further said.

So far, India has invested around $120 million in equipment procurement for the project. In its Union Budget this year, the Modi government didn't allocate any funds for Chabahar.

After the expiry of the sanctions waiver, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it was holding talks with both the US and Iran to protect its interests in Chabahar. Plan B is also in the works, where India may temporarily transfer its stake in the Chabahar project to a local Iranian entity during the sanctions period.

India, which has maintained a neutral stance in the conflict, received praise from Araghchi over its diplomatic stand. He also asserted that India could play a larger role in promoting peace and stability in the volatile Gulf region, which has been engulfed in the US-Iran crossfire.

He underlined that Iran would always appreciate "any positive constructive role" played by India in the region.

"India, with its good reputation, can play a greater role in this region to help diplomacy and to promote peace and security. India is a friend to all countries in the Persian Gulf," Araghchi said.

- Ends