India and Iran have reached a 10-year agreement to give India control and develop the port of Chabahar, located on the Gulf of Oman. The deal aims to enhance trade connections between India, Afghanistan, and Central Asian countries. Despite concerns from the US State Department regarding sanctions on Iran, India’s partnership with Iran is part of the BRICS coalition, which includes countries like Russia, China, and South Africa. The Chabahar project is seen as a strategic move by India to counter China’s investments in the region. The agreement will allow India to control key infrastructure at the port, providing access to Central Asian markets as well as ports that connect to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The US has expressed reservations about the deal, citing existing sanctions on Iran, but Indian officials remain optimistic about the potential benefits of the Chabahar port agreement.
