Taliban stop Exports, Imports with India

The Taliban have stopped all imports and exports with India after entering Kabul and taking over the country. Dr Ajay Sahai, Director General (DG) of Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO), said that currently the Taliban has stopped the movement of cargo through the transit routes of Pakistan, thereby stopping imports from the country. "In fact, we are one of the largest partners of Afghanistan and our exports to Afghanistan are worth around $835 million for 2021. We imported goods worth around $510 Million. But besides the trade, we have a sizeable investment in Afghanistan. We have invested around $3 billion in Afghanistan and there are 400-odd projects in Afghanistan some of which are currently going on," Sahai said. Some of the goods are exported from international north-south transport corridor route which is fine now. Some of the goods go through Dubai route also which is working, he added.

Sahai said India has healthy relations with Afghanistan in trade. Currently, Indian export profile includes sugar, pharmaceuticals, apparel, tea, coffee, spices and transmission towers. "Imports are related and largely dependent on dry fruits. We also import a little gum and onions from them," FIEO DG said. Federation of India Export Organisation expressed concern that in coming days dry fruit prices may go up due to the turmoil in Afghanistan. India is importing around 85 per cent of dry fruits from Afghanistan.