Parliament Question: Safeguarding India’s interests at Chabahar port in Iran

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3132 ANSWERED ON 19/03/2026 SAFEGUARDING INDIA’S INTERESTS AT CHABAHAR PORT IN IRAN 3132. DR. JOHN BRITTAS Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the present status of India’s commitments and operations at Chabahar port amid regional conflicts and evolving United States sanctions; (b) whether US sanctions or conditional waivers have altered India’s funding, equipment transfers or operational decisions relating to Chabahar Port; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Central Government has abandoned or paused the project; (e) if so, the details thereof; and (f) if not, the details of steps being taken to safeguard India’s strategic and commercial interests at Chabahar Port? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a to f) 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. On 16 September 2025, the US State Department revoked the sanctions exception issued in 2018 under the Iran Freedom and Counter Proliferation Act 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. *****