Iran Protests Threaten India's Chabahar Port Investment, Strategic Access at Risk

• Widespread protests in over 100 Iranian cities pose a significant risk to India's $500 million investment in Chabahar Port.
• Disruptions like strikes, internet shutdowns, and supply chain issues could impact cargo handling and infrastructure development at the port.
• Chabahar Port is vital for India to bypass Pakistan, accessing Afghanistan, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe, and is a key part of the INSTC.
• The Chabahar-Zahedan railway project, crucial for INSTC, faces threats from labor strikes and funding disruptions due to ongoing unrest.
• India is concerned about China leveraging the instability to increase its influence in Iran, potentially undermining Chabahar's role against Gwadar Port.

Why It Matters: Iran's escalating protests jeopardize India's strategic Chabahar Port investment and its critical regional connectivity.