EAM Jaishankar reacts to US sanction alert on Chabahar Port agreement

PTC News Desk: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised that the project will help the entire region and people should not take a “narrow view” of it a day after the US warned of a “potential risk of sanctions” following India’s signing of a 10-year agreement to administer the Chabahar Port in Iran.

He also mentioned how the US had already acknowledged Chabahar’s greater significance. The EAM was addressing at a discussion that followed the Wednesday launch of his book “Why Bharat Matters” in Bangla in Kolkata.

When questioned about the comments made by the US, Jaishankar responded, “I saw some of the remarks that 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.” People shouldn’t have a limited perspective on things, in my opinion.”

“In the past, they (the US) have not done so. Thus, if you look at the US’s own perspective on the port in Chabahar, you will see that the US has been grateful for Chabahar’s greater significance. We will continue to work toward that,” he continued.

The United States issued a warning earlier on Tuesday, saying that “anyone” thinking about doing business with Tehran should be mindful of the “possible risk of sanctions.”

“I would just say…US sanctions on Iran remain in place and we will continue to enforce them,” Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokeswoman for the US State Department, stated at the press briefing.

“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,” he stated.

On Monday, the Port & Maritime Organization (PMO) of Iran and Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) inked a Long-Term Bilateral Contract on Chabahar Port Operation, allowing Shahid-Behesti port to operate as part of the Chabahar Port Development Project for ten years.

Mr. Jaishankar went on to say that although India has a long history with the project, it was crucial that they were unable to reach a long-term agreement. He went on to say that the long-term deal that New Delhi signed will help the entire area because it was able to resolve the concerns.

“Although we have known the Chabahar Port for a long time, we were never able to reach a long-term contract. The Foreign Minister stated, “The reason was…there were various issues on the Iranian end…the joint-venture partner changed, the condition changed.”

“We were finally able to resolve this and complete the long-term agreement,” he continued. The long-term deal is essential since port operations cannot be significantly improved without it. We also think that the port operation will be advantageous to the whole region.”

A showpiece project between India and Iran, the Chabahar Port is a crucial transit port for trade with landlocked Central Asian nations like Afghanistan. India has played a significant role in the establishment and management of Chabahar Port.

The Indian government has made significant investments in the port’s infrastructure and amenities, enabling it to serve as a practical transit route for Indian products destined for Central Asia and Afghanistan.