India-Iran Talks On Chabahar Port Signal Strategic Push Amid West Asia Tensions

National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval’s conversation with his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani on September 7, 2025, has reaffirmed the strategic weight New Delhi attaches to Tehran, particularly through the prism of trade, defence, security, and connectivity.

At the centre of these discussions is the Chabahar port, India’s gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, which has assumed renewed significance against the backdrop of West Asia’s volatility.

Why are the India-Iran talks critical?

The timing is critical. With tensions in the Gulf region affecting shipping lanes and energy markets, India is reinforcing ties with Iran to safeguard long-term access to regional trade corridors.

For India, Chabahar offers a vital alternative to the land routes denied by Pakistan, enabling direct connectivity to Afghanistan through the Zaranj-Delaram highway, built with Indian assistance.

Beyond Afghanistan, the port positions India as a credible player in Central Asia, bypassing geographical constraints and ensuring that Indian trade routes are not hostage to Islamabad’s strategic calculations.

What is India’s position on Iran’s nuclear capabilities?

The outreach also reflects India’s delicate diplomatic balancing act. While reaffirming Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy, New Delhi has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy in resolving the nuclear issue, underscoring its role as a responsible stakeholder in global non-proliferation efforts.

This stance allows India to maintain engagement with Tehran without alienating Western partners, especially the United States, which has historically imposed sanctions on Iranian entities.

Why are the India-Iran strategic ties important for the region?

Defence and security cooperation were also on the agenda, an indication that India and Iran are exploring ways to insulate their strategic ties from regional disruptions.

With Afghanistan under Taliban control and Central Asia increasingly contested by China and Russia, New Delhi views Tehran as a partner in stabilising access routes and countering extremism in the region.

Doval and Larijani’s upcoming meeting is expected to set the stage for a deeper review of bilateral projects, particularly in connectivity and security.

For India, Chabahar is more than just a port. It is a strategic anchor for its regional outreach, a hedge against geopolitical uncertainties, and a symbol of its ability to pursue multi-vector diplomacy in a turbulent West Asia.