Zero budget allocation! Iran expressed disappointment with Chabahar when Modi went to Israel, will India lose a ‘friend’?

This is the first time that the Narendra Modi government has allocated zero to Iran’s Chabahar port in the Union Budget. Tehran opened up about it. But what is significant is that Iran’s response came just as the Prime Minister was on a visit to Israel. Tehran has made it clear that they are unhappy with the zero allocation for Chabahar in India’s central budget.

In an interview to All India Media, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “Modi said, Chabahar is a golden gate. It connects the Indian Ocean region with Central Asia, Caucasus and Europe. It is a strategically very important port. If this port is fully developed, it can play an important role in connecting India with Central Asia, Caucasus and Europe through Iran.” When asked about Chabahar’s exclusion in the Union Budget, Aragachi said, “It is very disappointing for India and Iran.” According to some experts, Modi’s visit to Israel has practically angered Tehran. So they started to attack India. Is India going to lose a friend like Iran due to extra ‘closeness to Israel’? This is the question that is getting stronger now.

In the recently presented Union Budget, this is the first time that the Center has allocated zero to Chabahar Port. If you look at the past, you will see that the center has been allocating a huge amount of money every year to this important port of India on Iranian soil. New Delhi spent Rs 400 crore on this project in the financial year 2024-25. The budget for the financial year 2025-26 was initially allocated Tk 100 crore but in the end it was increased to Tk 400 crore. However, the Narendra Modi government at the Center did not allocate a single paisa for the Chabahar port in the financial year 2026-27. According to some experts, American diplomatic pressure is behind this decision.

Note that Chabahar is very important to India from a strategic point of view. In the interests of the country’s security and without using Pakistan’s territory, India built a seaport in Iran’s Chabahar to strengthen trade relations with Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asian countries. Gave a total of 50 million dollars.