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In a major development, India managed to keep the Iranian port of Chabahar project out of the scope of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on Nov. 5.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin's announcement focused on economic pressures to reduce Iran's oil imports to zero and exemptions "granted" to eight countries.
"The United States will grant these exemptions to China, India, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey, each of which has already demonstrated that it is safe. significant reductions in Iranian crude oil purchases in the last six months, two of which have already completely stopped Iran's imports of crude oil and will not resume until the sanctions regime remains in place.We are continuing negotiations to bring all country to zero, "said the secretary of state.
But it was not clear whether the United States was considering giving up Chabahar and the North-South International Trade Corridor (INSTC).
On Tuesday, the State Department said that Chabahar and a specific railway project in Afghanistan (under the INSTC) would be excluded from the sanctions for the purposes of "development" of the country. ; Afghanistan.
In response to India Today, a State Department spokesman said that the United States would allow projects to go ahead and allow the transport of "non-punishable" goods. via the port bound for Iran.
"After careful consideration, the Secretary has provided an exception to the application of certain sanctions under the Freedom and Proliferation in Iran (IFCA) Act 2012 with regard to the development of the port. of Chabahar and the construction of a railway associated with the shipment of goods not punishable through the port to the use of Afghanistan, as well as continuous imports of petroleum products Iranians by Afghanistan, "said the spokesman.
Chabahar and INSTC are important strategic projects for India and Afghanistan. Sources told India Today that the two countries had engaged with the Trump government to make them understand the importance of bypassing Pakistan and making Islamabad irrelevant for the evolution of growth in Afghanistan.
A convinced US government told India Today: "The President's strategy for South Asia underscores our continued support for Afghanistan's economic growth and development, as well as our close partnership with the United States. India We seek to strengthen our close relations with both countries maximum pressure to change the destabilizing policies of the Iranian regime in the region and beyond. "
It should be added that although the "exception" was granted after lengthy deliberations, the strategic importance of these projects can not be ignored.
"This exception concerns the reconstruction and economic development of Afghanistan, which are essential for continued support for growth and humanitarian aid in Afghanistan," said the spokesman. speech of the US State Department.
This is a huge diplomatic victory for India. Chabahar has been a huge counterproposal to the Pakistani port project of Gwadar, but more importantly, it will prevent Islamabad from entering and give India and other allies access to Kabul.
As an extension of this, the North-South International Transport Corridor (INSTC) is considered a "game changer". The port of Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman – as the only port of Iran on the Indian Ocean – has become a vital supply port for the INSTC.
In October-November 2017, India sent to Afghanistan via Chabahar an inaugural shipment of about 15,000 tons of wheat from the Indian port of Kandla (Gujarat), in accordance with its commitment to provide the oil and gas industry. Afghanistan 1.1 million tons of wheat in the form of donations.
Read also: India has obtained the renunciation of Iranian oil from the United States because of Prime Minister Modi, said Dharmendra Pradhan
