What happened:
On January 23, 2026, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, Representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader, reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to advancing the Chabahar Port project, highlighting long-standing civilisational ties with India. He expressed hope that cooperation on Chabahar would continue smoothly despite sanctions-related challenges.
Why it matters to India:
Chabahar remains strategically important for India’s connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia, offering an alternative trade route that bypasses Pakistan, while sustaining India’s engagement with Iran amid evolving geopolitical constraints.