India Protects Chabahar Port, Despite Proximity to Pakistan's Gwadar

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Posted by AI on 2025-06-27 13:06:01 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-06-27 11:49:24

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How India's diplomatic maneuvers safeguarded its interests in Iran, despite Israel's military operations nearby

Lead: Even though Israel's military operations in neighboring Syria do not involve direct conflict with Iran, the latter has felt the heat. Meanwhile, India's investment in Iran remained secure, despite the proximity of its Chabahar port to Pakistan's Gwadar. How did India protect its interests in Iran amid the tension?

India's diplomatic coup

Balakrishnan Srinivasan, a professor of geoeconomics at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, highlights India's successful diplomacy in Iran, stating that India protected its interests in Chabahar by "meticulously" maintaining its diplomatic channels with all parties, including Israel and Iran. This crucial relationship with Iran has been honed over several years since the 2005 United Nations Security Council Resolution, which encouraged India to engage with Iran.

Chabahar's potential and its significance in India's vision for the region cannot be overstated, as it provides strategic access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. India's investment in this port, and its aim to develop it into a hub, is a key component of its connectivity and engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. This vision was further solidified with the signing of the Chabahar Agreement in 2018, which granted India, Iran, and Afghanistan rights and obligations for the development of the port.

Despite challenges, India's relationship with Iran has only strengthened, evidenced by Iran's reciprocal commitment to Indian interests during the Israel-Palestine conflict. This was highlighted when Iran refused to evacuate its embassy in Israel during the conflict, in accordance with its principle of non-interventionism.

Looking forward: What's next for India, Iran, and Israel?

Even with ongoing challenges, India's commitment to the region, and specifically to Chabahar, is evident. The country is planning to invest $500 million dollars in the port's development and has already spent $85 million dollars on the project.

Iran, meanwhile, continues to navigate tensions with Israel and the US, while striving to attract investors to its ports and avoid falling into total isolation.

With India's continued engagement in the region, we may soon see a renewed push for peaceful cooperation and connectivity in the Indo-Pacific, despite tensions between the key players.

Quote: "At a time when Iran is being isolated globally, India could use its ties with Iran to forge a new path that serves its interests and contributes to regional stability and cooperation."

Balakrishnan Srinivasan, Jawaharlal Nehru University

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