India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the United States has granted a six-month exemption from American sanctions for Indian operations through Iran’s Chabahar port.
At the MEA’s weekly press briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said an “exemption has been granted for six months.” Chabahar plays a central role in India’s plans to transport goods to Afghanistan and Central Asia without passing through Pakistan and to link with the North-South transport corridor.
Last year, India signed a 10-year operating agreement for the Shahid Beheshti terminal with Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization through the state-run India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL). The deal includes planned investments to equip and develop the terminal.
The six-month waiver follows Washington’s decision last month to revoke an earlier carve-out covering Chabahar, which had created uncertainty about India’s ability to continue its activities at the terminal.
The MEA confirmation indicates that operations can continue while the exemption remains in effect. “Exemption has been granted for six months,” Jaiswal said, adding that New Delhi continues its engagement with Washington on broader economic issues mentioned during the briefing.
