New Delhi (TIP)- A day after the US warned of a “potential risk of sanctions” following India‘s 10-year agreement to operate the Chabahar Port in Iran, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted that the project will “benefit the entire region”. Jaishankar added that people should not take a “narrow view” of the initiative. The EAM spoke at an interaction on Tuesday after the launch of the Bangla edition of his book ‘Why Bharat Matters’ in Kolkata. When asked about the US remarks, Jaishankar said, “I did see some of the remarks that were made, but I think it’s a question of communicating, convincing, and getting people to understand that this is actually for everyone’s benefit. I don’t think people should take a narrow view of it.” “They (US) have not done so in the past. So, if you look at the US’ own attitude towards the port in Chabahar, the US has been appreciative of the fact that Chabahar has a larger relevance…we will work at it,” he added.
Earlier on May 14, the United States warned that “anyone” considering business deals with Tehran must be aware of the “potential risk of sanctions.” “I would just say…US sanctions on Iran remain in place and we will continue to enforce them,” the US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Vedant Patel said at the press briefing, adding, “Any entity, anyone considering business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risk they are opening themselves up to, potential risk of sanctions.”
The Long-Term Bilateral Contract on Chabahar Port Operation was signed between Indian Ports Global Limited (IPGL) of India and Iran’s Port & Maritime Organisation (PMO) on Monday. This agreement allows for the operation of the Shahid-Behesti port as part of the Chabahar Port Development Project for the next 10 years.