India is decorating Chabahar, America gave a big shock, ended all the discounts

Iran’s Chabahar port is not just a business base for India but a center of strategic importance. From Chabahar, India can directly reach Afghanistan and Central Asia. This ends dependence on Pakistan. The countries of Central Asia have huge energy and mineral reserves, and India needs them heavy. In 2023, India sent 20,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan via Chabahar. In 2021, medicines and vaccines also arrived from this route during Kovid. This project can create a direct supply line to Europe by connecting India-Iran-Russia, part of the South Transport Corridor (Instc). That is, Chabahar is not just a port, but a strategic corridor for India.

In 2018, the US gave special discounts to Chabahar while imposing strict ban on Iran. The reason was the reconstruction of Afghanistan and providing financial help to the people there. But now the situation has changed. This discount will end from 29 September 2025. After this, Iran Freedom and Counter Procedure Act will be applicable. Under this, if a company or country will be involved in activities related to Chabahar port, then American restrictions can be imposed on it. It will have a direct impact on India. Because government and private companies of India who are investing there can come under American pressure.

After this decision of America, many difficult options have arisen in front of India. India will have to clarify from Washington at the diplomatic level that Chabahar is not just business but a means of human and regional stability. India, together with Russia and Central Asian countries, can pursue this project. If India wants, it can keep Chabahar alive by making compromises with Iran in the field of oil and gas. India is also looking for the new ‘India -media East -Aurope Economic Corridor (IMEC)’ with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel to reach Europe, but this project is still in the early stages.