A day after the US warned of a “potential risk of sanctions” following India’s 10-year agreement to operate the Chabahar Port in Iran, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised the project’s regional benefits and urged against taking a “narrow view” of it.
Speaking at the launch of the Bangla edition of his book ‘Why Bharat Matters’ in Kolkata on Wednesday, Jaishankar highlighted that the US had previously recognised the broader significance of Chabahar.
Responding to the US remarks, Jaishankar said, “I did see some of the remarks which were made, but I think it’s a question of communicating, convincing, and getting people to understand that this is actually for everyone’s benefit. I don’t think people should take a narrow view of it.”
He added that the US had historically been appreciative of Chabahar’s larger relevance and expressed confidence in continuing to work on it.
On Tuesday, the US had cautioned that engaging in business with Iran could expose entities to the risk of sanctions. Vedant Patel, the US State Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson, reiterated the enforcement of US sanctions on Iran, warning, “Any entity, anyone considering business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risk they are opening themselves up to, potential risk of sanctions.”
Also Read: US warns of sanctions: India signs 10-year Chabahar Port pact with Iran
The Long-Term Bilateral Contract on Chabahar Port Operation was signed on Monday between Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) and Iran’s Port & Maritime Organisation (PMO).
This agreement enables the operation of the Shahid-Behesti port in the Chabahar Port Development Project for ten years. Jaishankar highlighted the long-standing association with the project and noted the significance of overcoming previous obstacles to secure the long-term pact, which is expected to benefit the entire region.
“We have had a long association with the Chabahar Port, but we could never sign a long-term agreement. The reason was…there were various problems on the Iranian end…the joint-venture partner changes, the condition changed,” he said. He further explained that the resolution of these issues allowed for the signing of the long-term agreement, essential for improving port operations, which will benefit the entire region.
The Chabahar Port, a flagship India-Iran project, serves as a crucial transit point for trade with landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian countries. India has been a key player in the port’s development, investing in infrastructure upgrades to facilitate trade routes for Indian goods to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
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