New Delhi, Jan 17: India is in active high-level talks with the United States to ensure that the sanctions waiver for the Chabahar Port continues beyond its April deadline. The strategic facility, which serves as a gateway to Central Asia, currently operates under a conditional exemption granted by the U.S. Treasury that is set to expire on April 26.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that maintaining the port’s operations remains a top priority for New Delhi. “We remain engaged with the U.S. in working out this arrangement,” Jaiswal directly said during a media briefing on Friday. He noted that the discussions are aimed at securing the long-term viability of the port, which India has developed to bypass Pakistan for trade with Afghanistan.
The negotiations are taking place against a backdrop of increasing regional tension. While India recently signed a 10-year agreement to develop the port, Washington has issued warnings about the risks of doing business with Tehran. However, Indian officials are emphasizing the port’s role in humanitarian aid and regional stability to justify the continued waiver.
The economic footprint of the relationship remains small. Jaiswal mentioned that Iran accounts for only about 0.15 percent of India’s total global trade. Bilateral commerce was valued at roughly $1.6 billion in the last financial year, with Indian exports—primarily rice and pharmaceuticals—making up the bulk of the trade at $1.2 billion.
