INDIA is building 12 dams and several infrastructural projects in Afghanistan. Simultaneously, it is developing Chabahar port in Iran to bypass Pakistan’s land and sea route for both Indian and Afghan exports.

Being a land-locked country, Afghanistan had to depend on transit trade facility through Pakistan. Now, under Indian pressure, Afghanistan has adopted expensive air corridors for export of its dry and perishable fresh fruit to Turkey, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and China.

To balance its trade deficit with China, Afghanistan has decided to export to China US$800 million worth of pine nuts (20 tonnes a day until end of the season). The first consignment of 20 tonnes of Afghan pine nuts reached China on Nov 7. Besides pine nuts, Afghanistan will export to China pistachio nuts, and cumin, saffron and semi-precious stones.

Several countries, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan resent India’s interference in their internal and external affairs. India stands exposed as the one trying to isolate Pakistan.

Nikhat Shaheen
Lahore

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2018