Ist shipment of wheat from India to Afghanistan flagged off

29 October, New Delhi

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani, through a joint video conference, today flagged off the first shipment of wheat from India to Afghanistan. It would be transhipped through the Chabahar port in Iran. The shipment is part of India’s commitment to supply 1.1 million tonnes of wheat for the people of Afghanistan on grant basis.

The two Foreign Ministers welcomed the fact that this is the first shipment that would be going to Afghanistan through the Chabahar port after Trilateral Agreement on Establishment of International Transport and Transit Corridor. The agreement was signed during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran in May 2016.

Six more wheat shipments will be sent to Afghanistan over the next few months. The two Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to continue their cooperation for the benefit and prosperity of the people of Afghanistan and the region.

AIR correspondent reports that shipment of wheat is a landmark moment and will pave the way for operationalisation of the Chabahar port as an alternate, reliable and robust connectivity for Afghanistan. It will open up new opportunities for trade and transit from and to Afghanistan and enhance trade and commerce between the three countries and the wider region.

The External Affairs Minister reiterated India’s continued commitment to support reconstruction, capacity building and socio-economic development of Afghanistan, including under the framework of the New Development Partnership that she had jointly announced with Foreign Minister Rabbani last month during the meeting of India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Council.

She also renewed commitment to work closely with regional and international partners to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.