port(Eds: Updating with more details and EAM's quotes)New Delhi, Oct 29 (PTI) India today sent its firstconsignment of wheat to Afghanistan through the Chabahar portin Iran, seen as a "landmark" move to operationalise the newstrategic transit route, bypassing Pakistan.
The shipment was flagged off from the Kandla port inGujarat with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and herAfghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani joining the ceremonythrough video conferencing.
"The shipment of wheat is a landmark moment as it willpave the way for operationalisation of the Chabahar port as analternate, reliable and robust connectivity for Afghanistan,"the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
In June, India and Afghanistan had launched an airfreight corridor between the two countries to boost trade asPakistan has been refusing land transit access through itsterritory.
"I am extremely delighted that today we have joined on amomentous occasion for the people of our three countries andthe region," Swaraj said, terming the move as an importantstep in realising the shared aspiration to carve out "newroutes" of peace and prosperity.
The consignment will be transported to Afghanistan fromChabahar through land route.
Swaraj also reiterated India's continued commitment tosupport reconstruction, capacity building and socio-economicdevelopment of Afghanistan, including under the framework ofthe New Development Partnership announced last month.
"The wheat that is leaving the Indian shores today, is agift from the people of India to our Afghan brethren. It istestament to the continued commitment of the government andthe people of India to support our Afghan brethren in buildinga normal, peaceful, prosperous, secure and bright future forthemselves," Swaraj said.
The external affairs minister also renewed commitment towork closely with regional and international partners to bringpeace, security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.
The Chabahar port is expected to open up newopportunities for trade and transit from and to Afghanistanand enhance trade and commerce between the three countries andthe wider region.
"The people of India, Afghanistan and Iran have beenconnected through centuries; shared commonalities of art andculture, ideas and knowledge; language and traditions. Today,we are rejuvenating these connects and commonalities. Ibelieve that this is the starting point of our journey torealise the full spectrum of connectivity," Swaraj said.
Swaraj and Rabbani welcomed the fact that this is thefirst shipment that would be going to Afghanistan through theChabahar port after trilateral agreement on Establishment ofInternational Transport and Transit Corridor was signed duringthe visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran in May 2016,the MEA said.
It said six more wheat shipments will be sent toAfghanistan over the next few months.
India and Iran have already expressed commitment forearly completion of the work on the Chabahar port project.
The Chabahar port, located in the Sistan-Balochistanprovince on the energy-rich Persian Gulf nations southerncoast, lies outside the Persian Gulf and can be easilyaccessed from India's western coast, bypassing Pakistan.
The port is likely to ramp up trade between India,Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transitaccess to New Delhi for trade with the two countries.
India has been closely working with Afghanistan to createalternate and reliable access routes, bypassing Pakistan. PTIMPB ASKASK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.
