Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, said the Chabahar-Zahedan railway is part of a broader vision for regional connectivity and could give India access to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and wider trade routes — with the line expected to become operational in the near future.

Railway's Strategic Scope

Ambassador Fathali emphasised that the project's significance extends well beyond a bilateral transport link. "The Chabahar-Zahedan railway is not merely a transport project for Iran and India. It is part of a broader vision for developing regional connectivity," he said in an exclusive interview. He noted that rail-laying on the line is complete and the final stages of making it operational are under way.

The envoy further explained that the railway's true value lies in connecting Chabahar to Iran's wider rail network. "It can link Chabahar to Iran's rail network and, through it, to Afghanistan, Central Asia and wider trade routes, facilitating India's access to these markets," he said. If fully activated, the corridor could, according to Fathali, "play an important role in creating a reliable, sustainable and transformative trade route among India, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia."

Follow-Up on the Modi-Pezeshkian BRICS Meeting

Asked about progress following the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit last month, Fathali said Tehran had moved swiftly. "From the very first days after these discussions, President Pezeshkian issued the necessary instructions to the relevant ministries and authorities, and the matters agreed during the meeting are being pursued seriously by the relevant institutions," the Ambassador said.

He acknowledged, however, that translating diplomatic agreements into practical outcomes requires time. "Implementing the agreements properly and turning them into practical results requires time and sustained follow-up," he added, expressing hope that results beneficial to both nations would emerge soon.

Iran's Commitment to Deepening India Ties

Fathali underscored Tehran's intent to broaden bilateral cooperation across multiple domains. "Iran is committed to further developing and deepening relations with India across various fields. We believe the existing capacities between the two countries provide a basis for broader and more productive cooperation," he said.

This comes amid growing strategic interest in alternative connectivity corridors as regional powers seek to reduce dependence on traditional trade routes. The Chabahar port has previously been positioned by both India and Iran as a counterweight to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), giving New Delhi a foothold in the region without routing through Pakistani territory.

What to Watch

The railway's operational timeline remains contingent on what the Ambassador described as "necessary conditions" being in place — a phrase that likely alludes to ongoing geopolitical and sanctions-related complexities surrounding Iran. With rail-laying reportedly complete, the near-term focus will be on commissioning protocols and formal inauguration. Observers will also track whether the institutional follow-up from the Modi-Pezeshkian meeting translates into signed agreements or investment commitments in the coming weeks.