Congress Criticises Centre’s Stance on Chabahar Port Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh on Sunday questioned the Modi Government for what he termed a “strategic setback” in India’s outreach to Central Asia . The criticism comes after the Union Budget 2026‑27 omitted any allocation for the Chabahar Port project. Key Developments Ramesh asked on X whether the budget omission signals India’s exit from the project or merely the fulfilment of existing commitments. The Ministry of External Affairs told Parliament that India has already paid the pledged $120 million for port‑equipment procurement; no further funds are due. Ramesh highlighted that the move follows the closure of India’s air‑force base at Ayni in Tajikistan, marking a second diplomatic setback. Important Facts India’s involvement with Chabahar dates back to the late 1990s, envisioned as a trilateral India‑Afghanistan‑Iran partnership. The project gained momentum after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attended the 16th Non‑Aligned Movement summit in Tehran. In May 2013, the Union Cabinet approved an initial investment of $115 million for Chabahar, even as India was implementing the India‑U.S. civil nuclear agreement . This reflected a “balanced and strategic foreign‑policy approach,” according to Ramesh. The Congress leader accused the Modi Government of “repackaging” the Chabahar initiative, presenting it as a personal vision while downplaying the foundational role of the UPA Government . UPSC Relevance Understanding the Chabahar issue is vital for GS 2 (International Relations) and GS 3 (Economic Development). It illustrates how infrastructure projects serve as instruments of strategic outreach, affect regional connectivity, and intersect with defence (air‑base closure) and economic diplomacy. The episode also underscores the political narrative surrounding continuity in foreign policy—a recurring theme in UPSC essay and interview questions. Way Forward Clarify whether India intends to maintain a minimal strategic presence at Chabahar or to disengage completely. Assess alternative connectivity corridors (e.g., International North‑South Transport Corridor, Bangladesh‑India‑Myanmar‑Thailand) to offset any loss of access through Chabahar. Ensure bipartisan consensus on long‑term foreign‑policy projects to avoid “strategic setbacks” due to political transitions. For aspirants, tracking the evolution of India’s Central Asian engagement and the political discourse around it will aid in answering both factual and analytical UPSC questions.