Afghanistan Hails Chabahar Project

EghtesadOnline: Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said the operationalization of the Chabahar Port project is an important step toward the economic development of South and Central Asia and will boost Afghanistan’s relationship with India and Iran.

News ID: ۷۸۰۲۱۷

01 November 2017

Chabahar is a key and strategic port of Iran and it became operational with the maiden shipment of wheat from India to Afghanistan, flagged off on Sunday by the foreign ministers of the three countries through video-conferencing, Financial Tribune reported.

“We welcome India’s cooperation, the initiative puts positive impact on relationships of Afghanistan, India and Iran,” Abdullah was quoted as saying by Afghanistan’s news channel Ariana News.

The shipment is part of commitment made by India to supply 1.1 million tons of wheat for the people of Afghanistan on grant basis, according to a statement of Indian External Affairs Ministry.

“I congratulate Afghanistan and Iran on Indian wheat shipment being flagged off from Kandla to Afghanistan through Chabahar,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a Twitter post. “This development marks a new chapter in regional cooperation and connectivity.”

The Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, meanwhile, considered the port as a move toward regional cooperation.

“Chabahar is an opportunity for us; we hope the port being developed further,” said Khan Jan Alokozai, the deputy chairman of ACCI.

India has been involved in major projects in Afghanistan and is an important partner for the country. It has spent over $3 billion for the development of Afghanistan’s infrastructure sectors since the establishment of the US-backed government in the country.