Overview
- India’s foreign ministry said it remains in talks with Washington on a conditional sanctions waiver that is in force until April 26, 2026.
- The government denied it has decided to quit the project, emphasizing ongoing efforts to secure a lawful arrangement for continued operations.
- Officials are weighing de-risking options—reported steps include fulfilling a roughly $120 million equipment commitment, resignations of government directors from IPGL, and exploring a new operating vehicle or a local operator with guaranteed reversion of rights.
- President Donald Trump’s threat of a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran has added pressure, though Indian sources note no formal order yet and peg India–Iran trade at about $1.6 billion.
- Chabahar remains central to India’s access to Afghanistan and Central Asia via the INSTC, even as New Delhi monitors unrest in Iran and has advised roughly 9,000 Indian nationals there to depart.