Describing connectivity of "paramount" importance, a senior Iranian official said both India and Iran are "working" together on Chabahar port. Situated in the Sistan and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-iranian-security-forces-killed-in-sistan-baluchistan-terror-attack-775060">Baluchistan Province</a>, Chabahar is Iran's only oceanic port with direct access to the Indian Ocean. In May 2024, India and Iran signed a 10-year contract for India to operate and manage the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/top-iran-diplomat-dr-takht-ravanchi-to-visit-delhi-786699">Top Iran diplomat Dr Takht Ravanchi to visit Delhi</a>
This agreement includes investments of approximately $120 million by India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), along with a $250 million credit line for mutually identified projects. The officials said both sides are doing "good things" on the port, pointing out that the US has given exemptions from its sanctions as well.&nbsp;
The official said that India needs to be "forthcoming" to give visas to Iranians. Last year, Iran announced a visa-free regime for Indian tourists travelling to the country. Indian tourists can stay in the country visa-free for 15 days, and the exemption can be used once every six months.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/absurd-irans-supreme-leader-khamenei-denies-using-proxies-in-west-asia-785976">Iran's Khamenei rejects &lsquo;proxy force&rsquo; accusations, says Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis act independently</a>
On energy, the official pointed out that Tehran doesn't want to create hardship for Delhi when it comes to importing energy from the west Asian country. Iran was once one of India's major oil suppliers, but that changed after 2018. The US had imposed sanctions on the country that year, which led to a significant reduction and eventual halt in Indian imports of Iranian oil.
On international affairs, the official explained that if incoming President Donald Trump reimposes the "maximum pressure" policy, it will fail. In his first term, Trump imposed that policy, which included withdrawal from the JCPOA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-three-european-nations-to-hold-nuclear-talks-on-january-13-8585517">nuclear deal</a> and the imposition of more stringent sanctions, among other things. Meanwhile, Tehran and Moscow are set to sign a strategic partnership in mid-January.

World: Chabahar is Iran's only oceanic port with direct access to the Indian Ocean. In May 2024, India and Iran signed a 10-year contract for India to operate and manage the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar.

Describing connectivity of "paramount" importance, a senior Iranian official said both India and Iran are "working" together on Chabahar port. Situated in the Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Chabahar is Iran's only oceanic port with direct access to the Indian Ocean. In May 2024, India and Iran signed a 10-year contract for India to operate and manage the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar. Also read: Top Iran diplomat Dr Takht Ravanchi to visit Delhi This agreement includes investments of approximately $120 million by India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), along with a $250 million credit line for mutually identified projects. The officials said both sides are doing "good things" on the port, pointing out that the US has given exemptions from its sanctions as well. The official said that India needs to be "forthcoming" to give visas to Iranians. Last year, Iran announced a visa-free regime for Indian tourists travelling to the country. Indian tourists can stay in the country visa-free for 15 days, and the exemption can be used once every six months. Also read: Iran's Khamenei rejects ‘proxy force’ accusations, says Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis act independently On energy, the official pointed out that Tehran doesn't want to create hardship for Delhi when it comes to importing energy from the west Asian country. Iran was once one of India's major oil suppliers, but that changed after 2018. The US had imposed sanctions on the country that year, which led to a significant reduction and eventual halt in Indian imports of Iranian oil. On international affairs, the official explained that if incoming President Donald Trump reimposes the "maximum pressure" policy, it will fail. In his first term, Trump imposed that policy, which included withdrawal from the JCPOA nuclear deal and the imposition of more stringent sanctions, among other things. Meanwhile, Tehran and Moscow are set to sign a strategic partnership in mid-January.

India, Iran working together on Chabahar: Senior Iranian Official

A rattled&nbsp;US on Monday (May 13) warned Indian companies that they might attract American sanctions for their investments in Iran. A spokesman of the US State Department&nbsp;cried foul as New Delhi and Tehran inked a 10-year agreement over Iran's Chabahar port earlier in the day. The deal paved the way for investments worth $120 million in the strategically located port along the Gulf of Oman.&nbsp;

"Any entity -- anyone -- concerned with business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risks that they're opening themselves up to and the potential risk of sanctions," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.

India has been developing Chabahar port to get easy access to markets in Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia via the Arabian Sea route, thus ending dependence on its arch-rival Pakistan.

However, the development of the port has faced several hurdles in the past, primarily because of US sanctions.

As India and Iran look forward to boosting their economic ties, the new threat from the US serves as a reminder of the impending challenges both nations may face.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-likely-to-strike-10-year-deal-with-iran-over-chabahar-port-in-strategic-leap-720993">Also read:&nbsp;India strikes 10-year pact with Iran over Chabahar port, to invest $120 million</a>

Notably,&nbsp;by boosting investments in Chabahar, India also aims to neutralise Chinese presence in the region, a campaign that may also serve US interests in the long run.

As the US occupies itself in the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, it may need its partners more than ever to contain Chinese aggression in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

Earlier, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar told reporters in Mumbai that the new lease deal will pave the way for newer investments in the port.

India plans to turn Chabahar port into a transit hub under the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to reach out to CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries.

(With inputs from agencies)

A rattled US on Monday (May 13) warned Indian companies that they might attract American sanctions for their investments in Iran. A spokesman of the US State Department cried foul as New Delhi and Tehran inked a 10-year agreement over Iran's Chabahar port earlier in the day.

A rattled US on Monday (May 13) warned Indian companies that they might attract American sanctions for their investments in Iran. A spokesman of the US State Department cried foul as New Delhi and Tehran inked a 10-year agreement over Iran's Chabahar port earlier in the day. The deal paved the way for investments worth $120 million in the strategically located port along the Gulf of Oman. "Any entity -- anyone -- concerned with business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risks that they're opening themselves up to and the potential risk of sanctions," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters. India has been developing Chabahar port to get easy access to markets in Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia via the Arabian Sea route, thus ending dependence on its arch-rival Pakistan. However, the development of the port has faced several hurdles in the past, primarily because of US sanctions. As India and Iran look forward to boosting their economic ties, the new threat from the US serves as a reminder of the impending challenges both nations may face. Also read: India strikes 10-year pact with Iran over Chabahar port, to invest $120 million Notably, by boosting investments in Chabahar, India also aims to neutralise Chinese presence in the region, a campaign that may also serve US interests in the long run. As the US occupies itself in the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, it may need its partners more than ever to contain Chinese aggression in the Indian Ocean and beyond. Earlier, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar told reporters in Mumbai that the new lease deal will pave the way for newer investments in the port. India plans to turn Chabahar port into a transit hub under the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to reach out to CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries. (With inputs from agencies)

'Risk of sanctions': US cries foul as India, Iran ink 10-year agreement over Chabahar port

There is a lot at stake for India. The government has so far managed a very difficult balancing act policy of multi alignment. India maintains close ties with countries that are enemies with each other. Will the crises force India to make some tough choices? #USIndiaRelation #USIranCrisis #WIONNews

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