Trump memo on Chabahar may Impact India, US allies

US President Donald Trump's latest memorandum modifying or rescinding sanctions waivers related to Iran's Chabahar Port, where India has management rights for 10 years, will end up harming Afghanistan and interests of other US regional partners, including their counterterrorism efforts, according to people familiar with the matter.

The move, announced on Wednesday, may not impact Iran substantively, they said. The efforts of the US partners also complement America's interests, including counterterrorism and narcotics control, said one of the persons, adding that the US may have to review the memorandum.

A White House memorandum said Trump has ordered his administration to apply "maximum pressure" on Iran to "end its nuclear threat, curtail its ballistic missile programme and stop its support for terrorist groups".


"The secretary of state shall modify or rescind sanctions waivers, particularly those that provide Iran any degree of economic or financial relief, including those related to Iran's Chabahar port," said the National Security Presidential Memorandum.

India is studying the memo and the issue might figure at the meeting between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week at the White House, said another person.