The project would help the whole region, and people should not take a “narrow view” of it, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, a day after the US warned of a “potential risk of sanctions” after India’s signing of a 10-year deal to manage the Chabahar Port in Iran.
He also mentioned how the US has already acknowledged Chabahar’s greater significance.
The EAM was addressing a discussion that followed the Wednesday publication of his book “Why Bharat Matters” in Bangla in Kolkata.
Asked about the statements made by the US, Jaishankar said, “I saw some of the remarks 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 said.
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, said during the press conference.
“Any entity, anyone considering business deals with Iran, needs to be aware of the potential risk they are opening themselves up to—the potential risk of sanctions,” he said.
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.
Jaishankar went on to say that while 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 would help the whole area since 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 said, “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 said. The long-term deal is essential since port operations cannot be significantly improved without it. We also think that the port operation would be advantageous to the whole area.”
A showpiece project between India and Iran, the Chabahar Port is a crucial transit port for commerce 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.