Iran 'drops' India from key rail project over funding delays

Iran has reportedly dropped India from a key rail project along the border with Afghanistan after New Delhi showed reluctance in joining the project due to US sanctions, according a report by an Indian newspaper.
The Iranian government decided to proceed with the long-stalled project without India’s participation, citing delays in funding and starting the project, English language daily The Hindu reported on Tuesday.
The project, which is scheduled to be completed by March 2022, has started with about $400m funding from the Iranian government, the paper reported.
“It was expected that in addition to the investment in Chabahar Port, India could also play a more crucial role … in the absence of an active Indian engagement and partnership, [the port is] currently under construction by Iranian funding and engineering capacities,” the Hindu reported that Iranian sources said.