After entering Kabul and taking over the country, Taliban has stopped all exports and imports with India. Dr Ajay Sahai, Director General (DG) of Federation of Indian Export Organization (FIEO), said that at present the Taliban has halted the cargo movement through the travel routes of Pakistan, subsequently restricting imports from the country.
“We keep a close watch on developments in Afghanistan. Imports from there come through the transit route of Pakistan. As of now, the Taliban has stopped the movement of cargo to Pakistan, so virtually imports have stopped,” he told.
India and Afghanistan have well established relations especially in terms of trade and investment.
“In fact, we are one of the largest partners of Afghanistan and our exports to Afghanistan are worth around $835 million for 2021. We imported goods worth around $510 Million. But besides the trade, we have a sizeable investment in Afghanistan. We have invested around $3 billion in Afghanistan and there are 400-odd projects in Afghanistan some of which are currently going on,” said Mr Sahai.
“…Some of the goods are exported from international north-south transport corridor route which is fine now. Some of the goods go through Dubai route also which is working,” he further said.
He also said that India has good relations with Afghanistan in trade. Presently, India’s exports include pharmaceuticals, sugar, tea, coffee, apparel, spices and transmission towers. “Imports are related and largely dependent on dry fruits. We also import a little gum and onions from them,” said Mr Sahai.
Despite, fast developing situation in Afghanistan, the authority is hopeful and positive about exchange relations with Afghanistan.
“I am pretty sure over a period of time Afghanistan will also realise that economic development is the only way to move forward and they will continue with that kind of trade. I think the new regime will like to have political legitimacy and for that India’s role will become important for them also,” said the DG Sahai.
FIEO expressed it’s concern that in coming days prices of dry fruits may go rise due to disturbance in Afghanistan. India is importing in around 85% of dry fruits from Afghanistan.
“I will say that may not directly impact the prices but the very fact that one of the sources of import no longer exists, speculation of increase in prices is not ruled out,” Mr Sahai said.
