Afghanistan: Taliban worried about Chabahar port as Donald Trump threatens Iran; has Pakistan hit the jackpot?

Kabul: Afghanistan's Taliban administration is worried about the situation regarding Iran's Chabahar port. They fear that their dream of trading through Chabahar could be shattered. This development comes at a time of heightened tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan has closed its trade routes through Pakistan, making it difficult for the landlocked country to find alternative ports. This is having a direct impact on the Afghan economy.

Why is India's Investment in Chabahar at Risk?

According to Foreign Policy magazine, the Trump administration investigated the consequences of imposing a 25% tariff on countries engaging in economic cooperation with Iran. This action has cast uncertainty over India's future investments in the Chabahar port. Through the Chabahar port project, India is trying to increase trade with Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asian countries. Under this project, India is supposed to invest approximately $500 million in the development of the Chabahar port and related infrastructure, including roads and railways to the Afghan border. However, this investment is now under threat.

Is this a Setback for India-Afghanistan Relations?

Economic expert Abdulzhur Modabber said, "The recent US sanctions on countries trading through the Chabahar route could be a very aggressive and threatening move, which is also against ethical norms. Therefore, it can negatively impact any country trading through this route." Foreign Policy emphasized that Chabahar remains strategically important for India, as it is New Delhi's only viable route to access Afghanistan and Central Asia. The magazine noted that Afghanistan under Taliban rule has experienced relative stability and is strengthening its ties with India, further underscoring Chabahar's importance in India's regional strategy.

Are Global Markets Out of Reach for Afghanistan?

Another economic expert, Sair Qureshi, said: "For Afghanistan, this challenge makes access to global markets even more difficult and expensive, and overall, we can say that political pressure will lead to a decrease in investment and weaken regional trade." Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Emirate has also announced that Chabahar Port plays a crucial role in Afghanistan's economic development and has urged the US government to keep the port free from regional geopolitical pressures and competition so that the country's trade route and economic development are not disrupted.

Why is Pakistan happy?

The US sanctions on Chabahar Port have given Pakistan a significant diplomatic advantage without it having to do anything. On one hand, India's investment plans in Iran's Chabahar have failed. On the other hand, Afghanistan's plan to trade through Chabahar, bypassing Pakistan, has also failed. The direct trade route between India and Afghanistan has also been closed. In this situation, Pakistan believes that India and Afghanistan will have no choice but to depend on it.