India has a strong political and cultural relationship with Iran where it operates a strategic port, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said, rejecting reports that Tehran is disappointed at New Delhi for not buying oil from the oil-rich nation in view of the tough US sanctions.
The Chabahar port – considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with the central Asian countries – is located on the Indian Ocean in the Sistan and Baluchistan province of Iran.
The port, which is easily accessible from India’s western coast, is increasingly seen as a counter to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port which is being developed with the Chinese investment.
