India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval held a telephone conversation with Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) on 18 May 2025. In this conversation, there was a discussion on further strengthening India-Iran strategic relations. During this, emphasis was laid on the Chabahar Port Project and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). India appreciated Iran’s ‘constructive role’ in regional stability and expressed India’s interest in increasing cooperation on the Chabahar project. With this project, India can directly access Central Asia bypassing Pakistan. Iranian Secretary Ahmadian also emphasized the possibilities of political and economic cooperation. Also, the need to expedite the Chabahar project for regional peace and stability was stated. India is preparing to surround Pakistan India’s talks with Iran are being considered as part of the strategy to surround Pakistan. Especially in the context of recent India-Pakistan tensions and India’s growing ties with Afghanistan. Pakistan sees Chabahar as its geopolitical encirclement. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday spoke to Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi over the phone, which was the first talk between India and the Taliban since 1999. Earlier, India-Taliban had talked during the Kandahar plane hijacking. Chabahar will compete with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port. India had announced an investment of Rs 3,750 crore for the development of Iran’s Chabahar Port in 2016. India has supplied 6 mobile harbor cranes and other equipment at a cost of 187.5 crores. Chabahar Port gives India direct access to Afghanistan and Central Asia bypassing Pakistan. Chabahar is being seen as India’s strategic port compared to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port. Gwadar is being developed by China under the Belt and Road Project. Chabahar Port will help in competing with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port. Pakistan fears that it may be geopolitically isolated upon completion of this project. Chabahar strengthens the Indian Navy’s presence in the Western Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. What is Chabahar Port and why is it important for India? India wants to increase its trade around the world. Chabahar Port can play an important role in this. With the help of this port, India can trade directly with Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe. Iran and India had signed an agreement to build Chabahar Port in 2018. Earlier, to send any goods from India to Afghanistan, it had to pass through Pakistan. However, due to the border dispute between the two countries, India was looking for an option other than Pakistan. Since the development of Chabahar Port, this is the best route to send goods to Afghanistan. India is also sending wheat to Afghanistan through this route. Apart from Afghanistan, this port will also open the way for India to Central Asian countries. Gas and oil can also be brought from these countries through this port. Trump ended the exemption given to Chabahar Port from sanctions. The Chabahar Port project has been greatly affected because of America. America has been threatening sanctions to put pressure on Iran. Earlier, due to US sanctions on Iran, investing companies distanced themselves. After this, in 2018, America agreed to keep the Chabahar Port project out of sanctions, which helped India to reach Afghanistan and Central Asia. But, in February 2025, President Trump ended this exemption, which increased the risk of Indian companies facing sanctions. INST corridor will give India access to Central Asia and Russia-Europe. On 12 September 2000, India, Iran and Russia signed the INST deal in St. Petersburg. The 7,200 km long multi-modal network corridor connects India, Iran, Central Asia, Russia and Europe through sea, rail and road routes. Sending goods through this corridor saves 40% time and 30% cost compared to traditional routes. Iran emerges as a transit hub through this corridor.
