India Sends 20,000 MT of Wheat to Afghanistan via Iran’s Chabahar Port The Indian government has dispatched another 20,000 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat to the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan through Iran’s Chabahar port.
This move comes after India sent 40,000 MT of wheat to the landlocked country via Pakistan’s land border earlier this year.
The first shipment of 2,500 MT of wheat is expected to arrive in Herat this week, according to Taliban authorities.
This marks the first consignment of food aid sent by India to Afghanistan this year.
In a significant decision that seems to have served India well in its peace outreach efforts towards the Taliban, the government had approached Islamabad last year seeking permission to send 50,000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan via Pakistan’s land route.
Islamabad agreed after the Taliban urged them under then PM Imran Khan.
Pakistan does not otherwise allow outbound trade from India to Afghanistan and central Asian countries through its territory.
However, India could only send 40,000 MT of wheat within the specified time period for delivery as per Pakistan’s agreement.
The remaining 10,000 MT and an additional 10,000 MT are now being dispatched through Chabahar for delivery to Afghanistan.
Despite not recognizing the Taliban government in Kabul like other major powers such as Russia and China, India has not let that come in the way of helping Afghanistan deal with humanitarian challenges.
NSA Ajit Doval had said earlier this year that India would never “abandon” the Afghan people in their time of need during a security conference on Afghanistan held in Moscow.
India also reopened its embassy in June last year following repeated assurances by the Taliban regarding safety and security for Indian officials.
However, the Indian government wants the Taliban to ensure no part of Afghan territory is used by Pakistan-backed terror groups for anti-India activities and that there is a more inclusive and representative government in Kabul.
The Taliban’s recent appointment of their first envoy to India is seen as a rational decision that will pave the way for better relations with India.
