The Indian government’s successful attempt to ship wheat to Afghanistan was made possible after talks with the U.S. Secretary of State.
This step will give a huge impetus to India-Afghanistan relations, and in turn India-U.S. relations. The point to be noted is that the shipment is through Iran’s Chabahar port and that the U.S. has supported India’s use of the Iran route to reach Afghanistan, despite deteriorating U.S.-Iran relations. The route can also be utilised to enhance economic activity later. Significantly, this could be a solution to India’s desire for connectivity to energy-rich West Asia without being affected by Pakistan (“India ships wheat to Afghanistan via Chabahar”, October 30).
Mayukh Devadas,
Thrissur, Kerala
India’s maiden shipment depicts a propitious gesture, which will boost our trade and commerce significantly. It augurs new vistas in terms of better connectivity and enhanced bilateral relations between India and the central Asian region. Development of the Chabahar port was much awaited in the backdrop of Islamabad acting as a major constraint to our trade with Afghanistan, by not allowing its territorial land for the travel of our goods to the other side. Also, the port is sure to strengthen our position in the region vis-à-vis China which is striving hard to be omnipresent across the continent in some from of development or the other. In the end, India’s commitment to engage with Iran despite the ongoing U.S-Iran tussle, reflects credibility on the part of our foreign policy.
Diksha Pant,
Majri Mafi, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Relations with countries deepen when talks are backed by substance. The shipment is undoubtedly historic and carries a lot of symbolism. With it, the Indian government has ‘filled two needs with one deed’. First, it reinforces our commitment to provide further aid and assistance to strife-torn Afghanistan despite Pakistan’s obduracy to deny land access to either Afghanistan or India to carry out trade between themselves. It also signifies India’s role as ‘part of the solution’ according to the new South Asia policy of the U.S. Second, it demonstrates the importance that India accords to the Chabahar Port and its seriousness in completing its development by 2018. All these efforts also send a lucid message to the world community, and specially its neighbours, that India is ready to ‘walk the talk’ on its promises and deals. This will give credence to its ambitions of becoming a global superpower.
Shatayu Sahai,
Unnao, Uttar Pradesh
