First consignment of wheat assistance to Afghanistan through the port flagged off.
In a ceremony on October 29, 2017, the External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, and Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Salahuddin Rabbani, through a joint video conference, flagged off the first shipment of wheat from Kandla Port to Afghanistan that would be transhipped through the Chabahar port in Iran.
The shipment is part of commitment made by the government of India 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 was signed during the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Iran in May 2016. Six more wheat shipments will be sent to Afghanistan over the next few months. They also reaffirmed their commitment to continue their cooperation for the benefit and prosperity of the people of Afghanistan and the region.
The shipment of wheat is a landmark moment as it will pave the way for operationalisation of the Chabahar port as an alternate, reliable and robust connectivity for 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 Council. She also renewed commitment to work closely with regional and international partners to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan[/vc_column_text]
