The Morning Brief Chabahar Sanctions: India’s Western Deadlock
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Oct 3, 2025 P. Manoj, a senior shipping and infrastructure journalist at The Economic Times, dives deep into the tangled web of geopolitical tension surrounding Iran’s Chabahar Port. With U.S. sanctions reinstated, Manoj illuminates the immediate impact on operations and humanitarian aid for Afghanistan. He discusses board resignations and the shifting ownership stakes, highlighting the complex legal questions India faces. The conversation also explores the strategic implications of Chabahar for India's trade corridors and the looming threat of Chinese influence in the region.
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Sanctions Force A Strategic Choice
- The US withdrawal of sanctions exemptions for Chabahar forces India to choose between strategic goals and US relations.
- Chabahar was India’s primary western foothold and losing it would weaken its access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Operational Peak Was Humanitarian
- P. Manoj explains that Chabahar mainly handled humanitarian cargo like wheat and livestock at its peak.
- He recounts that IPGL directors resigned and references were removed to avoid sanction exposure.
Corporate Moves Didn’t Eliminate Risk
- India shifted stakes and operations among port bodies to limit sanction exposure but legal and financial links remain risky.
- The government has sought legal opinion because stopping operations could breach contracts with Iran.