In a gesture of goodwill, India has permitted 160 Afghan trucks carrying dry fruits and nuts to enter the country via the Attari border. This decision comes shortly after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's conversation with acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, marking the first political contact between India and the Taliban.
The entry of these trucks is particularly significant given that India is yet to formally recognize the Taliban regime in Kabul. Despite this, India remains Afghanistan's largest export market in South Asia, with bilateral trade standing at approximately $1 billion annually. The move underscores India's commitment to maintaining trade ties and supporting the Afghan people.
The Attari-Wagah border crossing, the only land trade route between India and Pakistan, is vital for commerce between India and Afghanistan. Before the recent border tensions and closures, around 40 to 50 Afghan trucks entered India daily through this route. However, recent events, including the Pahalgam terror attack, led to the suspension of operations at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari.
Following the Pahalgam attack, India took strong diplomatic steps, including closing the Attari border. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) announced the immediate closure of the ICP at Attari on April 23, although exceptions were made for people legally crossing the border to return until May 1, with a later extension.
The current clearance of Afghan trucks offers a respite to traders who have faced financial losses and the risk of spoilage of goods due to the border closure. Many trucks had been stranded on the Pakistani side of the border, awaiting clearance. Reports suggest that Pakistan had initially held up clearance for the trucks before eventually allowing some to proceed to Attari. According to sources, five Afghan trucks, carrying dry fruits and liquorice, were initially allowed to cross the border on Friday.
This "special gesture" from India is viewed as a positive sign for potential trade resumption and cooperation between the countries. Trade stakeholders are hopeful that this limited movement may pave the way for more consistent trade cooperation, particularly in sectors less vulnerable to political disputes.
India has been a long-standing partner of Afghanistan, providing humanitarian assistance and development support. Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, India has supplied Afghanistan with 50,000 tonnes of wheat, 350 tonnes of medicines, 40,000 litres of Malathion pesticide, and 28 tonnes of earthquake relief materials. Additionally, India has offered 2,000 online scholarships to Afghan students.
In light of recent developments, India is reportedly considering launching fresh development projects for the Afghan people and extending humanitarian aid to Afghan refugees expelled by Pakistan. These efforts align with Afghanistan's desire to normalize ties with India and attract investments for the country's rebuilding efforts.
The Taliban has expressed interest in strengthening bilateral relations with India, with a focus on trade and diplomatic ties. Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman, stated that Afghanistan seeks to renew historical relations with India and welcomes investments in various fields. This sentiment was echoed during the phone conversation between Jaishankar and Muttaqi, where discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and trade.
Despite the challenges and political complexities, the recent allowance of Afghan trucks into India signifies a step towards maintaining crucial trade links and fostering cooperation between the two nations.
