U.S. Escalates Iran Sanctions, Putting India’s Trade And Chabahar Ties Under Pressure

Trump’s “Economic D-Day” against Iran is putting India’s strategic balancing act under pressure. Washington’s latest campaign aims to target Iran’s oil, banking, shipping and global financial networks, raising the risks for countries and companies doing business with Tehran. For India, the challenge is particularly complex. New Delhi has strategic interests in Iran, especially through the Chabahar port and connectivity with Central Asia, but its relationship with Russia is far more deeply tied to energy and defence. As U.S. pressure intensifies, India must balance its ties with Washington, Moscow and Tehran while protecting its strategic autonomy and wider economic interests.