India remains engaged with US on Chabahar Port sanctions; meets $120 million obligation | India News

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said India is engaging with relevant stakeholders regarding the waiver of US conditional sanctions. Chabahar port In Iran, which is valid until April 26, 2026.The Chabahar port project was conceived to provide the necessary connectivity for Afghanistan’s reconstruction and economic development, and to strengthen trade and economic ties with Central Asia.On 13 May 2024, India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) signed a ten-year contract with the Ports and Maritime Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran to equip and operate the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar Port. Under the agreement, India fulfilled its commitment to contribute $120 million for the procurement of port equipment. Minister of State for MEA, Kirti Vardhan Singh, highlighted the financial fulfillment in a written reply to CPI(M) MP John Brittas, saying, “On 13 May 2024, India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) signed a ten-year agreement with the Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) of Iran. Under the agreement, India fulfilled its commitment to contribute USD 120 million for procurement of port equipment.” So the Government of India has no further financial commitment to the port.”Singh also talked about changes in the structure of US sanctions. “On September 16, 2025, the U.S. State Department revoked an exception to sanctions issued in 2018 under the Iran Freedom and Counterproliferation Act of 2012 for the reconstruction and economic development of Afghanistan, effective September 29, 2025. Based on discussions with the US side, the latter issued guidelines extending the deadline for conditional sanctions waivers to 26 April 2026. The Government of India is engaged with all concerned to address the impact of this development.”Earlier, in January 2026, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s ongoing engagement with the United States, saying, “On the question of Chabahar, on October 28, 2025, as you know, the US Treasury Department issued a letter outlining the guidelines, the conditional sanctions guidelines that will remain in place until April 6. The US side is engaged to implement this measure.”