Amritsar-Kabul air link to be revived, says envoy

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 20

The Afghanistan Government will soon revive the Amritsar-Kabul air link. This was stated by the country’s Ambassador to India Shaida Mohammad Abdali here today. The air link had been operational over two decades ago.

Abdali was here for an interaction with local businessmen involved in export and import, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

He promised support to the Indian industry for the promotion of trade. “We plan to resume the air freight and passenger link between Amritsar and Kabul by December 31. This will make Amritsar a major gateway for import and export between the two nations,” he said. The rail route can also be explored as Afghanistan is very well connected with Central Asia, Abdali said.

Pakistan has never allowed the use of its land route for trade between India and Afghanistan.

Rajdeep Uppal, former chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Amritsar, said the Chabahar port in southeastern Iran, being developed and operated by India, would boost access to Iran — the key gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor among India, Iran, Russia, Europe and Central Asia. “Once functional, this sea port will give a significant push to the import of iron ore, sugar and rice to India,” he added.

Sachin Khanna, chairman, CII (Amritsar zonal council), said Afghanistan was a strategic economic partner of India in the South Asian region.

“The Indian industry is looking for profitable investment opportunities in Afghanistan in sectors such as mining, agriculture, textile, energy, infrastructure and telecommunications,” he said.