Overview
- Following Sunday's lapse of the US sanctions waiver, the foreign ministry said the Chabahar port issue is under discussion with both Iran and the United States.
- Officials are exploring a sale or temporary transfer of India Ports Global’s stake to a local Iranian firm with a clause to reclaim the shares later, according to Business Standard as cited by Firstpost.
- India pulled its staff from Chabahar in November 2025 and prepaid $120 million of its commitment, with about $620 million invested in the project so far.
- An expert from Jawaharlal Nehru University called a potential stake sale tactical pragmatism that reduces legal and financial exposure rather than a long-term policy shift.
- Any pullback could slow India’s access to Afghanistan and Central Asia via the North-South Transport Corridor and open room for other powers near Pakistan’s China-run Gwadar port.