New Delhi, May 22 -- The death of Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash has given a new twist to India's geopolitical choices and manoeuvring over Iran's Chabahar port. It was only a few days ago, on 13 May, that India renewed its commitment to this Gulf of Oman port, considering the facility's strategic location on the southern tip of Iran's Sistan Baluchistan province and a stone's throw from its border with Pakistan.

In fact, shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal took special permission from the Election Commission to take a break from the poll campaign to visit Iran for signing the agreement, which replaces the investment pact of 2016. The new 10-year deal provides for joint development and operation of the port and co...