In a big relief to India, a US State Department official has clarified that the strategic Chabahar port project, being developed by India in Iran, is a separate exception and will not be impacted by US President Donald Trump’s decision not to renew exemptions that let eight countries including India buy Iranian oil without facing tough American sanctions.
“The exception for reconstruction assistance and economic development for Afghanistan, which includes the development and operation of Chabahar Port, is a separate exception, and is not affected by yesterday’s announcement,” the official said, as per reports.
“President’s South Asia strategy underscores our ongoing support of Afghanistan’s development as well as our close partnership with India”.
President Trump had on Monday decided not to grant sanctions exemptions to any oil customers of Iran. The US had re-imposed sanctions on Iran last November after Trump pulled out of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal.
In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a pact for the establishment of a Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar port as one of the regional hubs, reports added.
