Chabahar Exit Sparks Fresh Debate on Modi’s Foreign Policy

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing intense domestic political pressure and criticism over his decision to divest himself of Iran’s strategically important Chabahar port. The opposition Congress party has strongly criticized the government, calling the decision against national interests.

The Congress party released a video on social media accusing Narendra Modi of bowing to American pressure. The message conveyed in the video was that the Modi government had once again surrendered to US President Donald Trump.

The opposition says that the agreement, which the Modi government had declared as its major diplomatic success, has now been completely silent on relinquishing control of the same Chabahar port. According to the Congress, this decision is tantamount to harming India’s strategic and economic interests.

The political party took the position that it is regrettable that the Modi government bowed to global pressure and withdrew from an important regional project, the consequences of which India may have to bear in the future.

However, after the US re-imposed sanctions on Iran, India has effectively disengaged from Chabahar Port. Before the sanctions were imposed, India paid Iran the agreed amount of $120 million, after which Iran will now be able to use this investment for port activities without Indian participation.

After backing down from the Chabahar project, the Modi government’s foreign policy has once again become the center of debate in domestic politics.