New Delhi— The United States has granted India a six-month waiver from American sanctions on the Chabahar port project in Iran, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday. The move is expected to give a major boost to India’s connectivity and trade initiatives in Central Asia while reaffirming Washington’s strategic flexibility toward New Delhi’s regional interests.
Confirming the development, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The US has granted India a six-month waiver from its sanctions for the Chabahar port project.” The exemption comes as part of continued cooperation between India and the US on strategic infrastructure and trade partnerships.
Jaiswal also said that India’s ongoing talks with the United States for a potential trade deal are progressing steadily. “Our discussions with the US on trade-related matters are continuing,” he noted.
Addressing a question on the recent American sanctions on Russian oil companies, Jaiswal said India is closely studying their implications. “We are studying the implications of the recent US sanctions on Russian oil companies. Our decisions naturally take into account the evolving dynamics of the global market,” he said.
Reiterating India’s position on energy sourcing, Jaiswal added, “Our stance on energy sourcing is well known. In this endeavour, we are guided by the imperative to secure affordable energy from diverse sources to meet the energy security needs of our 1.4 billion people.”
The Chabahar port project, located on Iran’s southeastern coast, serves as a vital trade link connecting India to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. The US waiver underscores recognition of the port’s strategic role in promoting regional stability and economic connectivity.
