Just days after the US warned of the “potential risk of sanctions,” as India signed a 10-year agreement with Iran to manage the Chabahar port, External Minister S Jaishankar said, that this project would benefit everyone in this region and people shouldn’t take a “narrow view” of it.
In addition, he also said, US too appreciated the larger relevance of Chabahar in the past.
During the launch of the Bangla edition of his book “Why Bharat Matters” which was held in Kolkata, the minister was asked about the US remarks.
Mr. Jaishankar said “I did see some of the remarks which 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.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the US issued a warning stating that anyone considering a business deal with Tehran needs to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions. “Potential Risk of Sanctions.”
“I would just say…US sanctions on Iran remain in place and we will continue to enforce them…. 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.”said US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Vedant Patel.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar also added, that India enjoyed a long association with the project, but for some reason, a long-term pact wasn’t inked, which was important.
Later Jaishankar also asserted, that New Delhi eventually sorted out the issues and signed the long-term agreement, which will be beneficial for the entire region.
“Finally, we were able to sort this out and we were able to get the long-term agreement done. The long-term agreement is necessary, because without it you cannot really improve the port operation. And the port operation we believe, will benefit the entire region. “Said S Jaishankar.