The Taliban have stopped all imports and exports with India after entering Kabul and seizing the country on Sunday. Dr Ajay Sahai, Director General (DG) of Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO), said that currently the Taliban has stopped the movement of cargo through the transit routes of Pakistan, thereby stopping imports from the country.
“We keep an in depth 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 said.
India has long-standing relations with Afghanistan, especially in trade and investment.
“In fact, we are one in all the biggest 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’ve a sizeable investment in Afghanistan. we’ve got invested around $3 billion in Afghanistan and there are 400-odd projects in Afghanistan a number of which are currently happening,” Mr Sahai said.
…Some of the products are exported from international north-south transport corridor route which is okay now. a number of the products bear Dubai route also which is functioning,” he added.
Sahai said India has healthy relations with Afghanistan in trade. Currently, Indian export profile includes sugar, pharmaceuticals, apparel, tea, coffee, spices and transmission towers. “Imports are related and largely keen about dry fruits. We also import a bit gum and onions from them,” FIEO DG said.
Despite the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan, the official is hopeful and optimistic about trade relations with Afghanistan.
“I am pretty sure over a period of your time Afghanistan also will realise that economic development is that the only thanks to move forward and that they will continue thereupon quite trade. i feel the new regime will wish to have political legitimacy and for that India’s role will become important for them also,” he said
Federation of India Export Organisation expressed concern that in coming days dry fruit prices may go up thanks to the turmoil in Afghanistan. India is importing around 85 per cent of dry fruits from Afghanistan.
“I will say which will in a roundabout way impact the costs but the actual fact that one among the sources important not exists, speculation of increase in prices isn’t ruled out,” Mr Sahai said.
