Afghan FM Urges India to Push U.S. for Lifting Sanctions on Chabahar Port

Afghan Foreign Minister’s Call for India’s Mediation on Chabahar Sanctions

Introduction

During his visit to New Delhi, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi urged India to leverage its diplomatic influence with the United States to push for the removal of sanctions on Iran’s Chabahar Port. Speaking at an industry interaction, Mr. Muttaqi underlined that such a move would not only benefit Afghanistan but also advance India’s and the wider region’s trade connectivity and economic stability.The statement reflects Kabul’s acknowledgment of Chabahar’s centrality in regional trade logistics, particularly as Afghanistan continues to seek alternative trade routes amidst shifting geopolitical and economic realities.

I. Context and Significance of Chabahar Port

The Chabahar Port, located in southeastern Iran on the Gulf of Oman, has long been seen as a strategic linchpin for India, Iran, and Afghanistan. Developed jointly by India and Iran, it serves as a gateway to Central Asia and an alternative to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which operates under Chinese influence.For Afghanistan, Chabahar provides:

1. A direct sea–land trade link bypassing Pakistan.
2. Access to the Indian Ocean for exports of dry fruits, minerals, and carpets.
3. Reduced dependence on Karachi Port, which is subject to political and security uncertainties.

The port was formally integrated into the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) framework and has already facilitated trilateral cooperation among India, Iran, and Afghanistan.However, U.S. sanctions on Iran, particularly after Washington’s withdrawal from the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal) in 2018, have constrained financing, insurance, and operational capacities at Chabahar—despite earlier limited waivers granted to India for its humanitarian and developmental role.

II. Afghanistan’s Diplomatic Position

By urging India to mediate with Washington, Mr. Muttaqi’s statement carries multiple layers of intent:

1. Economic Revival through Regional Connectivity:
   Afghanistan, grappling with an economic downturn post-2021, views Chabahar as essential for its export potential and access to international markets.
2. Balancing Diplomatic Equations:
   The Taliban-led government seeks greater legitimacy by engaging major regional powers like India, while cautiously navigating ties with Iran and the United States.
3. Reassurance to India:
   The outreach signals Kabul’s desire to re-establish practical cooperation with India, especially in trade, healthcare, education, and infrastructure, areas historically nurtured under India’s development partnership.
4. Appeal for Humanitarian and Economic Integration:
   The request for increased visa issuance, participation in Indian trade fairs, and investment in Afghan sectors underscores Afghanistan’s aspiration to integrate with the regional economic mainstream.

III. India’s Strategic Calculus

For India, the issue of Chabahar sanctions intersects both strategic and diplomatic dimensions:

1. Strategic Leverage in the Region:
   Chabahar remains India’s gateway to Central Asia and Afghanistan, particularly after Pakistan’s consistent denial of overland transit.
2. Balancing U.S. and Iran Relations:
   India’s challenge lies in maintaining strategic autonomy—supporting Chabahar as a regional connectivity project while avoiding friction with the U.S. over Iran-related sanctions.
3. Regional Stability and Economic Diplomacy:
   A functional Chabahar Port would advance India’s Vision for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and its broader Neighbourhood First Policy, reinforcing economic interdependence as a stabilising factor.
4. Countering the China–Pakistan Nexus:
   By operationalising Chabahar, India strengthens a counterbalance to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), reducing Beijing’s monopolistic influence over regional trade networks.

IV. Implications of U.S. Sanctions on Chabahar

• Operational Constraints: Sanctions have limited international financing, shipping insurance, and access to port infrastructure.
• Trade Disruptions: India’s exports and food aid consignments to Afghanistan through Chabahar have slowed.
• Geopolitical Ripple Effects: Sanctions indirectly push regional states towards alternative alignments, including deeper economic cooperation with China and Russia.

While the U.S. had earlier granted specific waivers for Chabahar’s use in humanitarian and Afghan reconstruction efforts, these have been applied inconsistently.

V. The Way Forward

1. Diplomatic Engagement:
   India may explore quiet diplomacy with Washington to reaffirm Chabahar’s role as a humanitarian and developmental corridor, distinct from Iran’s sanctioned oil trade.
2. Regional Cooperation:
   Strengthening India–Iran–Afghanistan trilateral mechanisms could ensure continued operation and expansion of Chabahar, particularly for non-oil sectors such as food, medicine, and minerals.
3. Private Sector Participation:
   Encouraging Indian and Afghan private entities to collaborate in logistics, warehousing, and value addition near Chabahar can enhance commercial viability.
4. Humanitarian Trade Channel:
   Reviving the idea of a Humanitarian Financial Corridor—proposed earlier by India and Europe—could insulate essential trade from sanctions-related disruptions.

VII. Analytical Perspective

The Afghan Foreign Minister’s appeal illustrates the interlinkage between geopolitics, sanctions, and regional development. While the Chabahar project remains a symbol of India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s reconstruction and connectivity, sanctions continue to test India’s strategic autonomy.New Delhi’s role, therefore, extends beyond bilateral diplomacy—it represents a balancing act among competing powers: maintaining ties with the U.S., sustaining cooperation with Iran, and supporting Afghanistan’s economic recovery without legitimising controversial regimes.

VIII. Conclusion

Mr. Muttaqi’s call underscores the continuing strategic relevance of Chabahar as a conduit for regional prosperity and as a tool for Afghanistan’s reintegration into global trade networks. For India, it presents both a challenge and an opportunity—to assert its independent foreign policy while advancing connectivity-based regional stability.As the geopolitical order in Eurasia evolves, Chabahar will remain not just a port but a symbol of India’s long-term commitment to multipolar diplomacy and resilient regional partnerships.

Updated - October 13, 2025 9:28 PM | News On Air