International Relations GS 2 In the news 17 times

Chabahar Port

India's Strategic Investment in Iran

Chabahar Port, located on Iran's Makran coast in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, is India's most significant overseas port infrastructure investment. It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the Indian Ocean.

Key details

India is developing and operating the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar under a 10-year agreement signed in May 2016 (renewed with a longer-term 10-year contract in 2024)
India's financial commitment: ~USD 120 million for terminal development; additional USD 250 million credit line for infrastructure; total committed investment: Rs 400 crore (disbursed fully in FY 2025-26)
Chabahar bypasses Pakistan entirely — it is India's only overland-accessible route to Afghanistan and Central Asia not blocked by Pakistani territory
The 750-km Chabahar–Zahedan railway (under construction) is due for completion in mid-2026, connecting Chabahar to Iran's national rail network and onward to Central Asia
US sanctions on Iran created legal risk for India's Chabahar investments; the US Treasury issued a conditional sanctions waiver for Chabahar valid until April 26, 2026
Strategically, Chabahar counterbalances China's Gwadar port in Pakistan (under CPEC) and strengthens India's presence in the Arabian Sea

In the news

● Tracked since February 11, 2026 · last seen July 17, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

17 Jul '26

US targets Iran’s Chabahar Port in fresh strikes, Hegseth shares image of collapsing watchtower

International Relations

17 Jul '26

Chabahar port terminal has not faced damage after US strikes: MEA

International Relations

17 Jul '26

U.S. airstrikes on Iran appear to have damaged Chabahar port

International Relations

30 Jun '26