Chabahar port is important for India's campaign to gain access to Central Asia bypassing Pakistan. Last year, India signed a 10-year agreement with Iran for its development and operation.
Pain for India, gain for China
While the US move has created an uncomfortable situation for India, it has come as an opportunity for its rival China. China has made a huge investment in the deep-water port located in Gwadar, Pakistan in the same region. This not only opens up trade for China but also opens up a way for China to gain a foothold in the Indian Ocean region, where India has long had strategic influence. But China's Gwadar project has failed so far, while India's Chabahar has started trade.
How will it impact India's interests?
Trump's order which is aimed at resuming the maximum pressure campaign on Iran, but it will also impact India's key strategic interests. Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) and Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization had struck the Chabahar deal in 2024. IPGL first took over operations of the port in 2018 and has since handled container traffic of over 90,000 TEUs and over 8.4 million TEUs of bulk and general cargo. Trump's order to revise or cancel these exemptions threatens to weaken India's strategic position.
The port's importance to India is more than economic. It is a strategic asset, strengthening economic ties with a historically volatile neighbouring region, while balancing China's growing influence in South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. It is also part of the International North-South Transport Corridor, which aims to boost trade between India, Iran, Russia and beyond.
Quad will be affected
This could reduce India's influence in the Central Asian region, while reducing its cooperation with the US in terms of its broader Indo-Pacific strategies, including balancing and deterring China's expansionist designs. The repeal of the waiver could have a negative impact on the QUAD.
source: India.com
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