India remains engaged with US on sanctions waiver for Chabahar Port project

Noting that it is closely watching the situation unfolding in Iran, India on Friday said it remains engaged with the US on an unconditional sanctions waiver for the crucial Chabahar Port project, which is valid until April 26, 2026.

Responding to a media query regarding reports claiming that India has exited Chabahar Port project, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while addressing his weekly media briefing in New Delhi, said, “As you are aware, on 28 October 2025, the US Treasury Department issued a letter. In that letter, we were informed about the Unconditional Sanctions Waiver. As you are aware, the sanctions waiver we have received is valid until 26 April 2026. We remain engaged with the US side in working out this arrangement.”

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India has strong trade links with Iran, including energy imports and the development of the crucial Chabahar Port that provides India a direct transport link to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. In 2025, the US extended a six-month sanctions waiver for the country to continue its operations at the Chabahar port, effective from October 29.

India has also faced renewed attention over its long-standing ties with Iran following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on countries doing business with Tehran. The Indian side has said that the threat is expected to have a “minimal impact”, noting that India-Iran trade, at about USD 1.68 billion, accounts for 0.15 per cent of New Delhi’s total trade.

The MEA also said that the Indian government is closely watching the fast-developing situation in Iran and assured that it would take all necessary measures for the welfare of Indians.

Jaiswal stated that around 9,000 Indian nationals reside in Iran, including students, people connected to business, professionals, pilgrims, and seafarers. “Given the situation there, we have issued a few advisories, asking Indian nationals to avoid all travel to Iran and Indian nationals who are already resident in Iran, to leave Iran by available means, including by commercial flights. We continue to closely watch the unfolding situation there and will take all necessary steps for the welfare of our people,” the MEA spokesperson said.

The protests in Iran were initially triggered by severe economic conditions, including record inflation and currency collapse, and have since spread across the country. They are expressing dissent and calling for significant political and governance-related changes.