Iran, India committed to Chabahar project despite US threats: Araghchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran and India are committed to completing the development of the southern Iranian port city of Chabahar, despite threats of sanctions from the United States.
“Iran and India, as two major Asian civilizations, have always had close ties,” Araghchi told India’s WION News in Muscat on Sunday, where he attended a foreign ministerial meeting of Indian Ocean littoral countries.
Although relations between the two nations have experienced ups and downs throughout history, both Iran and India are determined to continue their friendly ties, the foreign minister said.
He emphasized, however, that problems hindering the expansion of ties between Iran and India have always been caused by interventions from third parties.
Araghchi criticized a decision by Washington to stop exempting India’s involvement in the development of Chabahar Port from US sanctions.
“We are aware that the Indians are consulting with the US; therefore, we leave them free to make their own decisions.”
In May 2024, Iran and India signed a 10-year contract to develop Chabahar, Iran’s only ocean port on the Sea of Oman.
On the sidelines of the event on Sunday and in a meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Araghchi reviewed various aspects of the relations between the two countries in various political, cultural, economic, and trade fields, and exchanged views on regional and international issues, especially the situation in Afghanistan.
Iran’s ‘lost paradise’ of Makoran
Addressing the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in the Omani capital of Muscat on Sunday, Araghchi highlighted the significance of the Makoran coast along the Sea of Oman, saying the “lost paradise” must be transformed into the economic hub of Iran and the region.
“The Makoran coast holds a special place,” said Araghchi during his speech. “These shores, whose natural and economic potential had been overlooked for centuries, have now become a national development priority.”
“The lost paradise of Makoran must be transformed into the future economic hub of Iran and the region,” he stressed.
The foreign minister further said the Islamic Republic believes that its coasts are not merely natural borders but gateways connecting the country to the global economy.
Iran has placed a “maritime-oriented” policy at the forefront of its strategic development, he said, adding that the government has devised a plan for the development of ports, maritime transportation, and the establishment of a regional supply chain.
“A country with over 5,800 kilometers of coastline — 4,900 kilometers of which stretches across its south along this vast ocean — cannot remain indifferent to its future. Developing a maritime-based economy is not just an option for Iran; it is an imperative,” he maintained.
As a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), Iran affirms its commitment to multilateralism, as well as economic and security cooperation in the region.
‘Maritime security should be ensured by regional countries’
In his speech, Araghchi also underlined the importance of ensuring maritime security through cooperation between the countries in the region, saying the issue should not be used as leverage by outside powers.
“We believe that maritime security should not be used as a lever for pressure or influence by extra-regional powers; rather, it should be the outcome of cooperation among regional nations,” he said.
He also noted that Iran’s Navy, in cooperation with regional states, has consistently played a part in anti-piracy operations, combating drug trafficking and organized crime, and ensuring navigational security.
The top Iranian diplomat further warned that certain extra-regional powers seek to exploit political, economic, and security gaps in the region and undermine natural cooperation among regional countries.
“We cannot allow the geopolitical rivalries of global powers to determine the future of this region,” he stated. “Decisions about the destiny of the Indian Ocean must be made by the countries of this region and shall serve the interests of their people.”
Hosting participants from over 60 countries and international organizations, the two-day conference began on Sunday under the theme “Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership,” aimed at highlighting the importance of inclusivity and building new partnerships in the maritime sector. Araghchi said that the theme of the conference is not a mere slogan and reflects a historical necessity for all countries in the region.