AT News
KABUL: New Delhi is planning to send another 20,000 metric tons of wheat to Afghanistan via Chabahar port in Iran, according to news reports.
India has already sent 40,000 metric tons of wheat aid through the land border with Pakistan last year.
The first shipment of 2,500 tons has already been shipped and will arrive in Herat province via Iran this week.
The Taliban government last month named their first envoy to India in a move they see will pave the way for better relations with India. The charge d’affaires-designate, Qadir Shah, is yet to assume charge though with Afghan diplomats from the previous administration, who remain in control of the embassy, apparently expelling him.
The Times of India had reported that Shah accused Afghan diplomats, appointed by the former government, of stealing his car last week.
India has so far kept away from the infighting saying it’s for the Afghan authorities to resolve the issue. In the case of an extended standoff though, the government might have to decide who it wants to work with as it looks to coordinate further delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
This is as Indian government has sent a technical team to Kabul to see how India can help Afghanistan in terms of aid delivery.
India’s Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar recently reiterated New Delhi’s support for Afghanistan, saying India prefers to be less political and more focused on helping the Afghan people.