India on Friday urged countries involved in the conflict in West Asia not to target civilian infrastructure and clarified that the Shahid Beheshti terminal in the Iranian strategic port of Chabahar, in which New Delhi has a stake, was not damaged in the recent US air strikes.
Following the collapse of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States due to disputes over the regulation of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, US forces struck the port of Chabahar as part of their air strikes on Iranian strategic infrastructure and facilities, including the port of Bandar Abbas. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth posted a photo of the Chabahar Marine Traffic Control Tower collapsing during a strike.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal acknowledged reports of US attacks on Chabahar port and said: “But we can also tell you that [Shahid Beheshti] The station itself did not experience any damage.
The Shahid Beheshti Terminal in Chabahar is being jointly developed by India and Iran as part of New Delhi’s plans to enhance connectivity and trade relations with Afghanistan and Central Asia. Both countries intend to make Chabahar an essential part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
The US waiver of Iran-related sanctions, which affected India’s participation in the development of the Chabahar port, expired in late April.
“There was a concession made by the American side, and that concession expired some time ago. After that, we had discussions with relevant stakeholders on how to move forward on this particular issue,” Jaiswal said in response to a question at a regular press conference.
Jaiswal reiterated India’s stated position that civilian infrastructure should not be targeted amid hostilities in West Asia. “That was the position we had [taken] Throughout this conflict, and in other instances as well, civilian infrastructure should not be targeted under any circumstances.
The port of Chabahar, located in the Gulf of Oman, provides India with direct access to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan, which refuses access to land transit routes. The port also reduces dependence on traditional sea lanes.
Speculation about the future of India’s operations at the Shahid Beheshti terminal in Chabahar port has emerged following the sudden liquidation of India Ports Global Limited, the state-owned entity that had been in charge of operations at the port since 2018, and the resignation of Indian officials working at the company late last year in the wake of US sanctions.
Budget documents showed that Chabahar allocations, revised from $100 Crores $400 crore for 2025-26, reduced to zero for 2026-27.
