At a time when a trade deal between India and the US is being negotiated, the Trump administration has dealt a fresh blow to India’s strategic ambitions by withdrawing its sanctions waiver for the Chabahar port in Iran. This all-weather, deep draft port that sits at the mouth of the Gulf of Oman is India’s gateway to Afghanistan that bypasses Pakistan . Chabahar is also part of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) that enables greater access to Central Asia. India’s involvement through operating Chabahar’s Shahid Beheshti terminal since 2017-18 is integral to its larger drive to open up fresh trade routes as it makes for compelling geoeconomics. This is also evident in its involvement in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. India’s ambitions hav

See Full Page