India works to protect Chabahar Port after waiver ends

India is working around US sanctions against the Chabahar Port to safeguard its interests after the expiry of the sanctions waiver in April through a unique arrangement with Iran.

India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), which is managing the port since 2024 under a 10-year pact with Iran, could enter into an arrangement with a local entity to manage the Chabahar Port with a guarantee that this right will be transferred back to India when sanctions are lifted, ET has reliably learnt.

New Delhi is seeking a guarantee from the Iranian government for this arrangement in the form of legal sanctity so that arrangements between the two port authorities are honoured.


Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, who postponed his visit to India this week due to the war-like situation in his country, had the future of strategically located Chabahar Port high on the agenda of his trip, ET had reported last week.

Experts on Iranian affairs told ET that China may stake claim on the Chabahar Port if India does not retain its role in the port in some form and therefore it is imperative to get sanctity from the government in Tehran. China's presence in Chabahar Port in any form in future will be detrimental for India's security interests.

In October 2025, India secured a six-month sanctions waiver from the US for the port. This waiver expires in April.

Chabahar Port is the gateway not only for Afghanistan but also Central Asian states as their viable access to the Indian Ocean Region for the Indian and Gulf markets. The port also provides connectivity to parts of Russia bordering Central Asia.