Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Tuesday said India is engaging with relevant stakeholders regarding the United States’ conditional sanctions waiver for the Chabahar Port in Iran, which is valid until April 26, 2026.The Chabahar Port project was conceptualised to provide essential connectivity to Afghanistan for reconstruction and economic development, and to strengthen trade and economic links with Central Asia.
On 13 May 2024, India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) signed a ten-year contract with the Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran to equip and operate the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar Port. Under the contract, India has fulfilled its commitment to contribute $120 million toward the procurement of port equipment. Minister of State in MEA, Kirti Vardhan Singh, highlighted the financial fulfilment in a written reply to CPI(M) MP John Brittas, saying, “On 13 May 2024, India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) signed a ten-year contract with the Ports and Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran for equipping and operating the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar Port. Under the provisions of the contract, India has fulfilled its commitment of contributing USD 120 million for the procurement of port equipment. Therefore, there is no further financial commitment from the Government of India towards the port.”Singh also addressed the change in the US sanctions framework. “On 16 September 2025, the US State Department revoked the sanctions exception issued in 2018 under the Iran Freedom and Counter Proliferation Act of 2012 for Afghanistan’s reconstruction and economic development, effective 29 September 2025. Pursuant to discussions with the US side, the latter issued guidance extending the conditional sanctions waiver until 26 April 2026. The Government of India remains engaged with all concerned in order to address the implications of these developments.”Earlier, in January 2026, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s ongoing engagement with the US, stating, “On the question of Chabahar, on 28 October, 2025, as you are aware, the US Department of the Treasury had issued a letter outlining guidance, the guidance on the Conditional Sanctions Waiver, which is valid until 26 April 2026. We remain engaged with the US side in working out this arrangement.”
