Store
GS2/3 · Parliament replies

Parliament replies digest (2-6 Feb 2026): Iran, Chabahar, rare earths

1 min readParliamentWest Asia & Africa
Battle IAS current affairs title card: Parliament replies digest (2-6 Feb 2026): Iran, Chabahar, rare earths (GS2/3 · Parliament replies, 6 February 2026)
Asked by UPSCPrelims 20171 PYQ

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

What happened

  • India has paid its full USD 120 million for Chabahar port equipment; the US revoked the 2018 sanctions exception from 29 September 2025 but extended a conditional waiver to 26 April 2026 [MEA, Rajya Sabha reply].
  • About 9,000-10,000 Indians live in Iran; MEA said they are not stranded as flights operate, and no evacuation has taken place since Operation Sindhu (June 2025) [MEA, Rajya Sabha reply].

Background

  • The Budget Session began on 28 January 2026; this was its first full week after the Budget [sansad.in].

Why it matters

  • Chabahar is the one Iran project where sanctions policy and India’s Afghanistan-Central Asia access collide. Note the waiver date.

How to use this in Mains

GS-II Parliament and State legislatures

  1. As per MEA (2026-02-06): india has paid its full USD 120 million for Chabahar port equipment; the US revoked the 2018 sanctions exception from 29 September 2025 but extended a conditional waiver to 26 April 2026.
  2. Chabahar is the one Iran project where sanctions policy and India's Afghanistan-Central Asia access collide. Note the waiver date.
Quotable data point

About 9,000-10,000 Indians live in Iran; MEA said they are not stranded as flights operate, and no evacuation has taken place since Operation Sindhu (June 2025).

MEA: RS Q723 India's investment in Chabahar port, 5 Feb 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: Chabahar, Shahid Beheshti terminal. · Mains: India-Iran ties under sanctions.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

India's committed contribution for Chabahar port equipment

Answer (b) & explanation

MEA release.

Go deeper

ExplainerRajya Sabha (Council of States): Composition, Election, Special Powers and the Debate on its Role (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerAnti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule): Grounds, Exceptions, Speaker’s Role and Key Judgments (UPSC Notes + PYQs)

Official source: MEA: RS Q723 India's investment in Chabahar port, 5 Feb 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending