Iran’s Chabahar port $120 million paid in full: India

The government on Friday (February 6, 2026) told Parliament that it has fully paid its $120 million commitment to the Chabahar port before the end of the US sanctions waiver in April 2026.

However, Iran’s ambassador to India said the government has so far not communicated its plans for the future of the port, even as opposition MP Manish Tiwari accused the government of acting prematurely to pull out of the port deal.

The government’s statement came days after ending the annual budget allocation for the Chabahar port in the 2026-27 annual budget, indicating that the port will not be able to operate unless US sanctions are withdrawn. Rather than risk a later draw-out process, the government appears to have delivered on its total standing commitment made in the 10-year MoU with Iran signed in May 2024.

‘Commitment Fulfilled’

“India has fulfilled its commitment to contribute USD 120 million towards procurement of port equipment,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in response to a question in the Lok Sabha.

“According to the discussions with the US side, the [U.S.] It has issued guidance extending the waiver of conditional sanctions till 26 April 2026. The Government of India is engaging with all concerned to address the implications of these developments,” the MEA said.

‘Premature Return’

Congress MP Manish Tiwari was replying to specific questions on whether the ministry had decided to scale back its engagement with the Chabahar project and withdraw personnel from the port. Mr Tiwari accused the government of “officially giving up” on plans for a warm-water port on Iran’s south-east coast, which India began developing in 2003.

“India may have acted prematurely by pulling out of the Chabahar port project, which opened the door to Central Asia and was a major catalyst for re-engagement with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan,” Mr Tiwari said. The Hindureferring to US-Iran talks that began in Oman on Friday.

US President Donald Trump has threatened major strikes on Iran in response to its crackdown on protesters, while US and Iranian officials met in Oman to try to avoid an escalation of tensions. In addition to enforceable sanctions on the Chabahar project, the US has threatened India with 25% tariffs if it continues to trade with Iran. Since 2019-2020, when Mr. Trump threatened sanctions, India “zeroed out” all oil imports from Iran and has not restarted them.

Iran is waiting for India’s move

Speaking to journalists on Friday (February 6, 2026), Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said he believes Delhi wants to try to resolve the issue without giving up its interest in Chabahar. India is using the port of entry to Afghanistan to transport humanitarian aid and food supplies.

“We have good relations with India in this regard and we believe that the Indian government wants to maintain this [port],” Mr. Fathali said at a press conference.

“It is up to any country that wants to use it, especially India, to decide [its plans]. So this question must be asked [the Indian government]. So far, we have no responses from the Indian side [on this issue],” Mr. Fathali responded to questions about the government’s actions in Chabahar.

A possible visit by Iranian President Massoud Pezheshkian for the BRICS summit in India later this year is a “great opportunity to encourage,” he said. [Iran’s] Relations with India.”