India has successfully secured an extension of the US sanctions waiver for the Chabahar Port, allowing operations to continue until early next year. The waiver, which expired this week, was renewed following intensive negotiations between New Delhi and Washington — a move that comes as a major relief for India’s regional connectivity and trade strategy.
The Chabahar Port, operated by India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) under a 10-year agreement signed in 2024, serves as a crucial maritime gateway for India to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. The extension enables India to continue developing and managing the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, which has been instrumental in facilitating humanitarian aid and essential supplies to Afghanistan, while also providing landlocked Central Asian nations like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan direct access to the Indian Ocean.
The US had initially set the waiver’s deadline for September 29, but India’s diplomatic efforts ensured its continuation. The extension underscores the port’s importance not just to India’s strategic ambitions, but also to the broader regional trade framework, including the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) — a multimodal route linking India, Iran, Russia, and Central Asia.
Despite ongoing US sanctions on Iran’s financial and energy sectors, Chabahar Port has repeatedly received exemptions since 2018 due to its recognized humanitarian and strategic significance. The latest waiver reaffirms Washington’s acknowledgment of the port’s stabilizing role in supporting Afghanistan’s economy and enhancing regional connectivity.
India’s long-term commitment to the Chabahar project reflects its strategic intent to strengthen regional trade links, diversify supply routes, and reinforce its presence in Central Asia amid complex geopolitical dynamics.
