US President Trump has given another new shock to India, exemption in Chabahar Port to tariff

The relationship between India and the United States created a new tension when the US decided to end the release of sanctions given to India at the Chabahar port in Iran. Thomas Pigot, deputy spokesperson for the US State Department, announced that the ban would be in effect from September 29. The move will make it extremely difficult for India to trade from Afghanistan and Central Asia, which has been done using this port to ignore Pakistan. This decision came at a time when India had already faced the burden of the US tariff. The US says this exemption for the Reconstruction and Economic Development of Afghanistan is withdrawn in 2018. Pigot warned that anyone who runs the Chabahar port or is involved in the activities associated with it may fall under the preview of US sanctions. This announcement is an important setback for India, as India started using this port in 2023 itself. Chabahar’s strategic importance is a strategic project for India. It offers an option compared to the Gwadar port of Pakistan, which is developed by China. Chabahar -Port connects India directly to Afghanistan and Central Aasiatic countries, which opens a safe and cheaper route for trade and contact. The harbor is also an important part of the International North-South Ex-Corridor (INSTC) for India, which connects India to Europe and Russia. From this port, India sent 20,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan in 2023 and pesticides to Iran in 2021, which is proof of its utility. Despite India’s position and further strategy of America, India has not given any indication of refuge. According to sources, India has repeated its dedication to the Chabahar project. For India, this port is not only a way of trading, but also a way to combat strategic alliances in China-Pakistan. India is fixed to continue this project. In this situation, however, India may have to be again for US restrictions. This will be a complicated diplomatic challenge, as the US is strict about Iran’s nuclear program and other regional activities. India will have to convince America that the Chabahar project is aimed at humanitarian aid and economic development, not the support of Iran’s nuclear program. In this case, India will have to utilize its strong strategic position and its growing partnership with the US. Political and economic influence will have a profound impact, not only on Indo-American relations, but also on the geopolitics of the region. It could force India to find new directions in its foreign policy and business relations. If India continues to use Chabahar, it could face the results of US sanctions, which will affect Indian businesses and banks. At the same time, if India withdraw from this project, it will be an important strategic opportunity for China, which can further strengthen its regional appearance by Gwadar. In general, this decision of America creates a major diplomatic and economic crisis for India. India will need to use a balanced and fixed approach to deal with this issue, so that the strategic interests are also protected and there are no major cracks in international relations. It will be interesting to see how India handles this challenge and whether it prohibits America from continuing with the release of this important project.