The Ministry of External Affairs has said that India will supply wheat consignments to Afghanistan through Pakistan in beginning of February.

“Pakistan has allowed the transportation of Indian Wheat assistance for Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds on exceptional basis. We have conveyed to the Indian side the necessary details of arrangements put in place by Pakistan and for about three weeks now, we are awaiting further response from India regarding the date of dispatch and other information of the first consignment,” spokesperson of Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.

The two countries have agreed to join hands at a time when Afghanistan is in desperate need of international aid ever since the Taliban regime took over in August this year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iran-offers-to-transfer-indian-wheat-to-afghanistan-443326">Also read |&nbsp;Iran offers to transfer Indian wheat to Afghanistan</a>

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has also offered help in the transfer of Indian wheat to Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Western sanctions aimed at the Taliban also prevented the passage of basic supplies of food and medicine, although this has since eased after exemptions were passed by the UN&nbsp;Security Council and Washington in December.

According to the UN estimates, nearly 23 million Afghans are facing acute food shortage, with as many as 3.2 million children at the risk of malnutrition.

The UNDP has warned that 97 per cent of Afghans would slip below the poverty line by June next year if steps are not taken.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-warn-against-womens-rights-activism-after-two-activists-were-seized-from-their-homes-446896" hreflang="en">Taliban warn against women's rights activism after two women disappear</a>

“We have committed to supplying 50,000 tonnes of wheat as well as lifesaving medicines as humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. We are in discussions with Pakistani authorities on the exact modalities of shipment of wheat. We remain committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

Last month, India sent 1.6 metric tonnes of medicine to Afghanistan via Kam airway, the first such consignment under the Taliban regime.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson of the Taliban foreign ministry, had praised the assistance and said, "We appreciate the arrival of two tonnes of Indian-assisted medicine to Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital in Kabul."

The abrupt withdrawal of foreign aid following the hasty exit of American forces and the Taliban's stunning victory last August left Afghanistan's economy on the brink of collapse.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Ministry of External Affairs has said that India will supply wheat consignments to Afghanistan through Pakistan in beginning of February. “Pakistan has allowed the transportation of Indian Wheat assistance for Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds on exceptional basis.

The Ministry of External Affairs has said that India will supply wheat consignments to Afghanistan through Pakistan in beginning of February. “Pakistan has allowed the transportation of Indian Wheat assistance for Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds on exceptional basis. We have conveyed to the Indian side the necessary details of arrangements put in place by Pakistan and for about three weeks now, we are awaiting further response from India regarding the date of dispatch and other information of the first consignment,” spokesperson of Pakistan’s foreign ministry said. The two countries have agreed to join hands at a time when Afghanistan is in desperate need of international aid ever since the Taliban regime took over in August this year. Also read | Iran offers to transfer Indian wheat to Afghanistan Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has also offered help in the transfer of Indian wheat to Afghanistan. Western sanctions aimed at the Taliban also prevented the passage of basic supplies of food and medicine, although this has since eased after exemptions were passed by the UN Security Council and Washington in December. According to the UN estimates, nearly 23 million Afghans are facing acute food shortage, with as many as 3.2 million children at the risk of malnutrition. The UNDP has warned that 97 per cent of Afghans would slip below the poverty line by June next year if steps are not taken. Also read | Taliban warn against women's rights activism after two women disappear “We have committed to supplying 50,000 tonnes of wheat as well as lifesaving medicines as humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. We are in discussions with Pakistani authorities on the exact modalities of shipment of wheat. We remain committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. Last month, India sent 1.6 metric tonnes of medicine to Afghanistan via Kam airway, the first such consignment under the Taliban regime. Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson of the Taliban foreign ministry, had praised the assistance and said, "We appreciate the arrival of two tonnes of Indian-assisted medicine to Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital in Kabul." The abrupt withdrawal of foreign aid following the hasty exit of American forces and the Taliban's stunning victory last August left Afghanistan's economy on the brink of collapse. (With inputs from agencies)

India to supply wheat consignments to Afghanistan through Pakistan in beginning of February

The Taliban have stopped all imports and exports with India after entering Kabul and taking over the country on Sunday.

Dr Ajay Sahai, Director General (DG) of Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) told ANI that currently, the Taliban has stopped the movement of cargo through the transit routes of Pakistan, thereby stopping imports from the country.

"We keep a close watch on developments in Afghanistan. Imports from there come through the transit route of Pakistan. As of now, the Taliban has stopped the movement of cargo to Pakistan, so virtually imports have stopped," FIEO DG told ANI.

India has long-standing relations with Afghanistan, especially in trade. The country has a large investment in Afghanistan.

"In fact, we are one of the largest partners of Afghanistan and our exports to Afghanistan are worth around USD 835 million for 2021. We imported goods worth around USD 510 Million. But besides the trade, we have a sizeable investment in Afghanistan. We have invested around USD 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.

Despite the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan, FIEO DG is hopeful and optimistic about trade relations with Afghanistan.

"I am pretty sure over a period of time Afghanistan will also realise that economic development is the only way to move forward and they will continue with that kind of trade. I think the new regime will like to have political legitimacy and for that India's role will become important for them also," DG FIEO told ANI.

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.

"I will say that may not directly impact the prices but the very fact that one of the sources of import no longer exists, speculation of increase in prices is not ruled out," Sahai said.

The Taliban have stopped all imports and exports with India after entering Kabul and taking over the country on Sunday. Dr Ajay Sahai, Director General (DG) of Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) told ANI that currently, the Taliban has stopped the movement of cargo through the transit routes of Pakistan, thereby stopping imports from the country.

The Taliban have stopped all imports and exports with India after entering Kabul and taking over the country on Sunday. Dr Ajay Sahai, Director General (DG) of Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) told ANI that currently, the Taliban has stopped the movement of cargo through the transit routes of Pakistan, thereby stopping imports from the country. "We keep a close watch on developments in Afghanistan. Imports from there come through the transit route of Pakistan. As of now, the Taliban has stopped the movement of cargo to Pakistan, so virtually imports have stopped," FIEO DG told ANI. India has long-standing relations with Afghanistan, especially in trade. The country has a large investment in Afghanistan. "In fact, we are one of the largest partners of Afghanistan and our exports to Afghanistan are worth around USD 835 million for 2021. We imported goods worth around USD 510 Million. But besides the trade, we have a sizeable investment in Afghanistan. We have invested around USD 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. Despite the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan, FIEO DG is hopeful and optimistic about trade relations with Afghanistan. "I am pretty sure over a period of time Afghanistan will also realise that economic development is the only way to move forward and they will continue with that kind of trade. I think the new regime will like to have political legitimacy and for that India's role will become important for them also," DG FIEO told ANI. 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. "I will say that may not directly impact the prices but the very fact that one of the sources of import no longer exists, speculation of increase in prices is not ruled out," Sahai said.

Taliban stop exports, imports from India

The United Nations Security Council will discuss Afghanistan on Friday under the Indian Presidency of the top United Nations body.

India is the president of the council for the month of August and coordinates and decides the agenda of the body.&nbsp;

The announcement was made by the Indian envoy to the United Nations TS Tirumurti, who is also the president of the council. He tweeted:

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiainUNSC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiainUNSC</a> 
 
UN <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SecurityCouncil?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SecurityCouncil</a> will meet on Friday, 6th August, under Indian Presidency to discuss and take stock of the situation in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>🇦🇫 <a href="https://t.co/baLLXC5Zor">pic.twitter.com/baLLXC5Zor</a>
— PR/Amb T S Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) <a href="https://twitter.com/ambtstirumurti/status/1423087607844573185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The development comes within 48 hours of the Afghan Foreign Minister requesting the Indian External affairs minister to hold a special of the council on the situation in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's Haneef Atmar on Tuesday called India's Dr. S Jaishankar&nbsp;and an Afghan foreign ministry release said, they "talked about the escalation of violence, widespread human rights violations by the Taliban and foreign terrorist groups operations in Afghanistan, and the need to hold a special session of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan."

The meet will be a briefing so it will be open for the public to see. The meet comes ahead of Troika plus meet on Afghanistan which includes the US, Russia, China, and Pakistan.&nbsp;A routine meeting of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNAMA will take place next month.&nbsp;

The development has been welcomed by the Afghan government&nbsp;with Afghan envoy Farid Mamundzay in a tweet saying, "Thank You India for the lead role as UNSC President".&nbsp;

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Convening an emergency UN Security Council Session on Afghanistan is a positive development. UN &amp; international community must play a greater role to stop the unfolding tragedy in 🇦🇫 due to violence &amp; atrocities by terrorists. Thank you India for the lead role as UNSC President. <a href="https://t.co/3s6cBFY8vB">https://t.co/3s6cBFY8vB</a>
— Farid Mamundzay फरीद मामुन्दजई فرید ماموندزی (@FMamundzay) <a href="https://twitter.com/FMamundzay/status/1423156875663593472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Earlier again under India's Presidency, the UNSC issued a press statement condemning the attack in the United Nations compound in Herat on 30th July that killed an Afghan security forces guard.

In a strongly worded release, the statement said, "members of the security council expressed their deep concern about the high levels of violence in Afghanistan following the Taliban's military offensive" and "called for an immediate reduction of violence"

On Monday UNSC President, Indian envoy to UN T S Tirumurti said," The situation in Afghanistan is of deep concern to all members of the security council. We have seen in recent days, violence is only increasing..and targetted killing has increased". He made the comments at the customary presser by UNSC President on the first working day of the council. He highlighted that "India has supported every opportunity that can bring peace, security, and stability in Afghanistan. We should address the question of violence and the targetted attacks".

Taliban has increased offensive in many parts of the country including Herat, Kandahar, and Helmand. In a recent briefing to foreign envoys based in Kabul, he highlighted how the Taliban is being supported by international terror groups including Pakistan-based anti-India Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).&nbsp;

Indian envoy Rudrendra Tandon was also present at the meet.&nbsp;A UN report has said that the number of casualties from May to June exceeds the number between January and April.

Recently, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan compound in Herat came under attack, something that was condemned by the International community.

The United Nations Security Council will discuss Afghanistan on Friday under the Indian Presidency of the top United Nations body. India is the president of the council for the month of August and coordinates and decides the agenda of the body.

The United Nations Security Council will discuss Afghanistan on Friday under the Indian Presidency of the top United Nations body. India is the president of the council for the month of August and coordinates and decides the agenda of the body. The announcement was made by the Indian envoy to the United Nations TS Tirumurti, who is also the president of the council. He tweeted: #IndiainUNSC UN #SecurityCouncil will meet on Friday, 6th August, under Indian Presidency to discuss and take stock of the situation in #Afghanistan🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/baLLXC5Zor — PR/Amb T S Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) August 5, 2021 × The development comes within 48 hours of the Afghan Foreign Minister requesting the Indian External affairs minister to hold a special of the council on the situation in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's Haneef Atmar on Tuesday called India's Dr. S Jaishankar and an Afghan foreign ministry release said, they "talked about the escalation of violence, widespread human rights violations by the Taliban and foreign terrorist groups operations in Afghanistan, and the need to hold a special session of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan." The meet will be a briefing so it will be open for the public to see. The meet comes ahead of Troika plus meet on Afghanistan which includes the US, Russia, China, and Pakistan. A routine meeting of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNAMA will take place next month. The development has been welcomed by the Afghan government with Afghan envoy Farid Mamundzay in a tweet saying, "Thank You India for the lead role as UNSC President". Convening an emergency UN Security Council Session on Afghanistan is a positive development. UN & international community must play a greater role to stop the unfolding tragedy in 🇦🇫 due to violence & atrocities by terrorists. Thank you India for the lead role as UNSC President. https://t.co/3s6cBFY8vB — Farid Mamundzay फरीद मामुन्दजई فرید ماموندزی (@FMamundzay) August 5, 2021 × Earlier again under India's Presidency, the UNSC issued a press statement condemning the attack in the United Nations compound in Herat on 30th July that killed an Afghan security forces guard. In a strongly worded release, the statement said, "members of the security council expressed their deep concern about the high levels of violence in Afghanistan following the Taliban's military offensive" and "called for an immediate reduction of violence" On Monday UNSC President, Indian envoy to UN T S Tirumurti said," The situation in Afghanistan is of deep concern to all members of the security council. We have seen in recent days, violence is only increasing..and targetted killing has increased". He made the comments at the customary presser by UNSC President on the first working day of the council. He highlighted that "India has supported every opportunity that can bring peace, security, and stability in Afghanistan. We should address the question of violence and the targetted attacks". Taliban has increased offensive in many parts of the country including Herat, Kandahar, and Helmand. In a recent briefing to foreign envoys based in Kabul, he highlighted how the Taliban is being supported by international terror groups including Pakistan-based anti-India Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Indian envoy Rudrendra Tandon was also present at the meet. A UN report has said that the number of casualties from May to June exceeds the number between January and April. Recently, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan compound in Herat came under attack, something that was condemned by the International community.

UNSC session on Afghanistan under Indian presidency on Friday

Kickstarting the vaccination program in his country with India Made Vaccines, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday lauded the Indian Government and PM Modi for sending vaccines.

The first to be vaccinated were members of the Afghan security forces and health care workers in the inauguration ceremony that was attended by top Afghan officials and the Indian envoy to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon.

Ghani said, "India, the world's largest democracy and the largest producer of vaccines, not only provided the house of Parliament of Afghanistan and the dams that are the pride of this country but also partners with us in terms of securing our lives and livelihood."

Elaborating, "the solidarity that India has demonstrated is an indication of both our deep historical relationship and the promise of 2 democracies working in this region together. Let me thank PM Modi, Govt of India for this expectational act of solidarity and generosity."

India had gifted 500,000 doses of COVISHIELD vaccines earlier this month to the country. Last year during the covid pandemic, India sent medicines and sent 75000 MT of wheat to the country as humanitarian aid via Chabahar port to prevent any shortage of food.

New Delhi has so far sent vaccines, in form of gifts and Commerical to more than 20 countries. With the notable exception of Pakistan due to obvious reasons, all of India's neighbors have been gifted covid vaccines by India. In fact, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan began their vaccination program using India-made vaccines. In contrast, Pakistan has stood out by being the only country in South Asia to begin its vaccination using the Chinese vaccine.

Ghani at the event, in what seems to be a remark on Pakistan said, "we need to make sure to overcome the forces of negative nationalism, nationalism should be an act of solidarity and pride in our common humanity and not sponsorship of groups and tendencies that provide for conflicts"

Pakistan has been hosting a number of terror groups, and Kabul has been very vocal about they being the cause of instability in the region.&nbsp;

Kickstarting the vaccination program in his country with India Made Vaccines, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday lauded the Indian Government and PM Modi for sending vaccines.

Kickstarting the vaccination program in his country with India Made Vaccines, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday lauded the Indian Government and PM Modi for sending vaccines. The first to be vaccinated were members of the Afghan security forces and health care workers in the inauguration ceremony that was attended by top Afghan officials and the Indian envoy to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon. Ghani said, "India, the world's largest democracy and the largest producer of vaccines, not only provided the house of Parliament of Afghanistan and the dams that are the pride of this country but also partners with us in terms of securing our lives and livelihood." Elaborating, "the solidarity that India has demonstrated is an indication of both our deep historical relationship and the promise of 2 democracies working in this region together. Let me thank PM Modi, Govt of India for this expectational act of solidarity and generosity." India had gifted 500,000 doses of COVISHIELD vaccines earlier this month to the country. Last year during the covid pandemic, India sent medicines and sent 75000 MT of wheat to the country as humanitarian aid via Chabahar port to prevent any shortage of food. New Delhi has so far sent vaccines, in form of gifts and Commerical to more than 20 countries. With the notable exception of Pakistan due to obvious reasons, all of India's neighbors have been gifted covid vaccines by India. In fact, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan began their vaccination program using India-made vaccines. In contrast, Pakistan has stood out by being the only country in South Asia to begin its vaccination using the Chinese vaccine. Ghani at the event, in what seems to be a remark on Pakistan said, "we need to make sure to overcome the forces of negative nationalism, nationalism should be an act of solidarity and pride in our common humanity and not sponsorship of groups and tendencies that provide for conflicts" Pakistan has been hosting a number of terror groups, and Kabul has been very vocal about they being the cause of instability in the region.

Afghanistan begins COVID vaccination using India made vaccine; Prez Ghani lauds Indian govt, PM Modi

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Kabul, in the first high-level visit from Delhi to Afghanistan amid the peace process.

During his two-day visit, he met his counterpart Afghan NSA Hamdullah Mohib and called on Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

During NSA's meet with President Ghani, counter-terror and building regional consensus for supporting peace in Afghanistan were the key topics.

President Ghani said the "Afghan Defense and Security Forces are guarantors of stability in Afghanistan and are at the forefront of the war against regional and global terrorism." Adding, "Afghanistan and India in joint efforts with NATO and the United States will be able to succeed in the fight against terrorism."

Last year saw three&nbsp;high-level visits from Afghanistan. These include&nbsp;a visit by Abdul Rashid Dostum, former vice president of Afghanistan, Chairperson of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Dr Abdullah Abdullah, and Senior Afghan politician Ata Mohammad Noor.

India and Afghanistan have had a close engagement with New Delhi being the biggest financial support of the country in the region.

Other than mega infrastructure projects like the India Afghanistan friendship dam, and the Afghan Parliament, India has been helping the capacity building especially by providing scholarships to many Afghan students. &nbsp;

During the COVID crisis, India sent 75,000 tonnes of wheat and 20 tonnes of life-saving medicines and other equipment to Afghanistan.

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Kabul, in the first high-level visit from Delhi to Afghanistan amid the peace process. During his two-day visit, he met his counterpart Afghan NSA Hamdullah Mohib and called on Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Kabul, in the first high-level visit from Delhi to Afghanistan amid the peace process. During his two-day visit, he met his counterpart Afghan NSA Hamdullah Mohib and called on Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. During NSA's meet with President Ghani, counter-terror and building regional consensus for supporting peace in Afghanistan were the key topics. President Ghani said the "Afghan Defense and Security Forces are guarantors of stability in Afghanistan and are at the forefront of the war against regional and global terrorism." Adding, "Afghanistan and India in joint efforts with NATO and the United States will be able to succeed in the fight against terrorism." Last year saw three high-level visits from Afghanistan. These include a visit by Abdul Rashid Dostum, former vice president of Afghanistan, Chairperson of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Dr Abdullah Abdullah, and Senior Afghan politician Ata Mohammad Noor. India and Afghanistan have had a close engagement with New Delhi being the biggest financial support of the country in the region. Other than mega infrastructure projects like the India Afghanistan friendship dam, and the Afghan Parliament, India has been helping the capacity building especially by providing scholarships to many Afghan students. During the COVID crisis, India sent 75,000 tonnes of wheat and 20 tonnes of life-saving medicines and other equipment to Afghanistan.

With focus on Afghan peace process, India's NSA Doval in Kabul