India, Afghanistan plan air cargo link over Pakistan

[Hindustani78]

my reply was to that quote , and we will do whatever it takes to help Afganistan, and i really don't think our nation Interest is compromised or in any danger

Our National Interest is for the betterment of Indian tribes as well as the good of the regional and global partners.

 

[Hindustani78]

sir, we need to uplift them first whom you calling tribes and we need more regional and global partners to make India progress. Modi ji is doing some great work and has initiated major reforms. Hope things go well as per the plan .

Sahab, First what is needed is unity among the tribes and then we can work on the Transfer of Technology for Afghan Nation specially in controlling Air Space and identifying threats.

Ofcourse Prime Minister Narender Modi Sahab is doing great work for other nations and he do deserve Bharat Ratna for that.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.khaama.com/ghani-calls-m...-afghanistan-india-air-corridor-flights-03351

By Khaama Press - Sun Aug 13 2017, 6:27 pm

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani chaired a meeting amid reports the newly-launched Afghanistan-India air corridor initiative facing delays in flights.

The Office of the President, ARG Palace, said the deputy chief of the chamber of commerce and industries Khan Jan Alokozay briefed the meeting regarding the issues being faced to execute more flights as part of the initiative.

Calling the initial flights between the two countries as successful, Alokozay said changes in flight schedules have started to have bad affect on fresh fruits waiting for the export.

President Ghani instructed the relevant authorities to start negotiations with Kam Air for fixing the flight schedules for exports after hearing to the briefings of the related officials.

He also instructed that necessary measures should be taken in a bid to prepare 80 to 100 tons of fresh fruits for export by coordinating with the private sector.

According to ARG Palace, President Ghani also instructed the Ministry of Finance and Customs House officials to assist with the allocation of necessary funds and take steps to provide necessary facilities in a bid to expedite the process as part of the air corridor initiative.

President Ghani also instructed the relevant authorities to take immediate steps in a bid to ascertain the main problems available to execute more flights.

He also asked the private sector to prepare the fruits for export on time, both in Kabul and Kandahar airports.

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office
11-September, 2017 18:18 IST
Mr. Salahuddin Rabbani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan calls on Prime Minister


Mr. Salahuddin Rabbani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today afternoon.

The Prime Minister affirmed that India attaches the highest priority to its ties with Afghanistan. The Prime Minister reiterated Indias strong support to Afghanistan in fighting terrorism imposed on that country and its people. He also reiterated Indias full support to the Government and people of Afghanistan, including through humanitarian and development assistance, in their efforts to build a peaceful, united, democratic and prosperous nation.

Foreign Minister Rabbani briefed the Prime Minister on the situation in Afghanistan. Both agreed that the Afghan peace process has to be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.

Foreign Minister Rabbani is in India for the 2nd meeting of the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Council that he co-chairs with External Affairs Minister of India.


****

The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mr. Salahuddin Rabbani calls on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on September 11, 2017.

The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mr. Salahuddin Rabbani calls on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on September 11, 2017.

The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mr. Salahuddin Rabbani calls on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on September 11, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

NEW DELHI, September 26, 2017 22:16 IST
Updated: September 26, 2017 23:13 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/us-nudges-india-afghanistan-trade/article19758267.ece

Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah to meet PM, Swaraj, inaugurate investment show
Intensifying trade links is at the top of the agenda as Afghanistan’s Chief Executive, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, arrives in Delhi on Wednesday for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Dr. Abdullah, who will be accompanied by several ministers, is here to inaugurate an India-Afghanistan trade fair, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development. The four-day “India-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Show” will be co-inaugurated by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as well U.S. envoys in Delhi — MaryKay Carlson, and Kabul — Hugo Llorens.

Widening impact
“This is the biggest such event we have had so far,” said a senior U.S. official. “Our real hope is that apart from growing trade figures, the social sector, especially projects in health and education will receive support from Indian companies.”

According to the U.S. official, about 240 Afghan private and social sector businesses and about 800 Indian businesses have registered to participate in the fair, which is being held for the first time at this scale —smaller versions of the event have been held seven times since 2003.

“We now hope to hold this event annually, and could hold next year’s trade expo in Mumbai,” the official said. At present, about 40 letters of intent for business have been received from companies in diverse fields from teaching English-skills to engineering.

Security threat
At about $684 million (2014-15), India-Afghan trade is far lower than its potential for a number of reasons, the chief being the security situation in Afghanistan with civilian deaths peaking in 2016.

However, Afghan officials say they hope Indian investors and traders will be reassured by the announcement of U.S. President Donald Trump’s new policy for Afghanistan which has committed to keeping troops there without a deadline. “The new U.S. policy is already effecting a change in the security situation. Because there is a clear message of a long-term commitment based on the condition on the ground, not on timelines,” Afghanistan’s Ambassador to India Shaida Abdali told The Hindu.

The other obstacles to trade include Pakistan’s refusal to allow Indian exports to Afghanistan through the road route at Wagah, and delays for goods routed through Karachi port. Since June, India and Afghanistan have operationalised an “air corridor”, with the Afghan government chartering cargo planes to get around the logjam with Pakistan, and about 20 flights have already carried fruits, dry fruits and spices from Kabul and Kandahar, and medical and technical equipment back from India.

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
28-September, 2017 19:04 IST
Chief Executive of Afghanistan calls on the President


Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, called on the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (September 28, 2017).

Welcoming Dr. Abdullah to India, the President said that India considers him a very close friend. We admire the selfless leadership that he has given Afghanistan through difficult times.

The President said that India considers Afghanistan not just a strategic partner, but a country very close to our hearts. People to people exchanges have provided a very strong foundation to India-Afghanistan relations. Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Kabuliwala’ resonates in the heart of every Indian. Every Indian instinctively trusts a person from Kabul.

The President said that a new development partnership between India and Afghanistan has been announced earlier this month. Both sides are embarking on new generation development projects aimed at supporting socio-economic development in Afghanistan. India will continue to support Afghanistan in all possible ways.

The President said that India deeply respects the supreme sacrifice made by the Afghan National Defence and Security forces to fight the forces of terror. We are indebted to them for ensuring security of Indians and of our Mission and Consulates in Afghanistan. India strongly condemns the acts of cross border terror perpetrated against the people of Afghanistan. There is no doubt that the people of Afghanistan have suffered for a long time. Generations have been lost to terrorism. We empathise with their yearning for peace. We stand with the Government and people of Afghanistan in their quest for peace, stability and prosperity.

***

The Chief Executive of Afghanistan, Mr. Abdullah Abdullah calls on the President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on September 28, 2017.

Prime Minister's Office
28-September, 2017 19:36 IST
Prime Minister meets Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of Afghanistan


Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the Chief Executive of Afghanistan, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah today afternoon.

Prime Minister extended a warm welcome to Dr. Abdullah, who is in India on a two-day working visit.

Both leaders reaffirmed the strength and closeness of the multifaceted strategic partnership between India and Afghanistan. They welcomed the accelerated cooperation, including through the recent announcement of a New Development Partnership during the meeting of the bilateral Strategic Partnership Council in New Delhi. They discussed enhancing bilateral economic and development cooperation and the abundant opportunities in this regard.

Dr. Abdullah conveyed Afghanistan's deep appreciation for India’s continuing support for infrastructure development and capacity building in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to extend full support to Afghanistan's efforts for building a peaceful, united, prosperous, inclusive and democratic Afghanistan.

The two leaders exchanged views on the security environment in Afghanistan and the extended region, and, in this context, agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation.

An MoU for Technical Cooperation on Police Training and Development was exchanged in the presence of the two leaders at the conclusion of the meeting.

Prime Minister deeply appreciated the mosaic portrait prepared by an Afghan master craftsman, which was presented to him by Dr. Abdullah.

***

The Chief Executive of Afghanistan, Mr. Abdullah Abdullah calls on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on September 28, 2017.

The Chief Executive of Afghanistan, Mr. Abdullah Abdullah calls on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on September 28, 2017.

The Chief Executive of Afghanistan, Mr. Abdullah Abdullah calls on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on September 28, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Minister Sushma Sawraj shakes hands with Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah during a meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.

 

[El Sidd]

Wow that's going to be expensive.

Can the Indian economy sustain this over an extended period?

Pakistan is already having a mini pollution crisis and noise pollution. This much air traffic is harmful to the environment as well.

I hope whatever the Afghans are trading its not very HEAVY.

Chahbahar seems to be a dead end project in Iran it seems for India.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2017/09/28/ceo-invites-indian-us-investors-help-exploit-afghan-riches


Sep 28, 2017 - 17:08
KABUL (Pajhwok): Chief Executive Offier (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah has invited Indian and US entrepreneurs to participate in developing Afghanistan’s mineral riches.

Abdullah said this while addressing USAID sponsored “PASSAGE TO PROSPERITY: India Afghanistan Trade and Investment Show” in New Dheli.

The CEO said Afghanistan wanted to expand its traditional commercial exchanges in areas such as handicrafts, gemstones, agricultural and other items and looked forward to doing more in areas such as infrastructure, health services, finance, education and clean energy.

He thanked members of business and public-private communities, for attending the unique event --- a first deliverable for the Heart of Asia agreement, with the aim to rejuvenate economic bonds being shared by South and Central Asian neighbors.

The CEO said Afghanistan welcomed such events and looked forward to other such events to highlight Afghan potentials and the ocuntry’s vision as a good neighbor and regional actor.

“With India, our trade history is millennial and trespasses the old Silk Road that today is shaping the new Silk Road. As an example, we now have in place a functioning air cargo agreement for agricultural produce being delivered to Indian markets, and more Indian goods coming back to Afghanistan,” he said.

Abdullah hailed India’s growing economic role on the world stage, and as a major regional hub.

The CEO thanked India Prime Minister Modi and his team for commitment to Afghanistan in finding new opportunities for trade and private sector development, and in other areas of mutual interest.

“With the United States, we very much value our partnership. Afghans are highly appreciative of the generosity and the commitments, in blood and treasure, from the US, as well as others within the EU, NATO and other bilateral donors, since 2001.”

He said the US had and continued to invest in Afghan economic stability, knowing it was interlinked with security and political stability.

Abdullah believed recent American policy announcements on Afghanistan and the region ‘was proof of strong strategic bonds and a shared outlook.’

He said the Afghan-US partnership would go beyond into greater region level to include countries who shared a common thread. “India is natural part of this fabric.”

He said despite woes, Afghnistan was on the verge of becoming a market and a transit roundabout for now and into future.

Abdullah stressed the event in New Delhi illustrated the goals the three countries shared to bring peace and prosperity to the region.

“Whether we like it or not, demographics, demand and supply dynamics, economic corridors, pipelines (such as TAPI), road and rail connectivity, access to seaports (such as Chabahar) will shape the future of our region.”

“This means transmission lines, fiber optic networks, railways, roads, airports, logistics facilities among other infrastructural work that need to be put in place. And along with that, we will see other small-to-medium size businesses flourish and thousands of jobs created for our youth.”

 

[Imran Khan]

Wow that's going to be expensive.

Can the Indian economy sustain this over an extended period?

Pakistan is already having a mini pollution crisis and noise pollution. This much air traffic is harmful to the environment as well.

I hope whatever the Afghans are trading its not very HEAVY.

Chahbahar seems to be a dead end project in Iran it seems for India.

clm down there was an airline with single leased A-340 and its now out of service . it was another political stunt

 

[El Sidd]

clm down there was an airline with single leased A-340 and its now out of service . it was another political stunt

Ofcourse it backed off.

Dull business sense

 

[Imran Khan]

Ofcourse it backed off.

Dull business sense

it was failed idea until they rely on afghan airlines as sub contractors .

 

[ashok mourya]

Air cargo is not economical for large volumes.

 

[El Sidd]

it was failed idea until they rely on afghan airlines as sub contractors .

Whose milking who then?

 

[Imran Khan]

Air cargo is not economical for large volumes.

they problem was not air cargo problem was india give delivery responsibilty to afghans. afghan national airlines have total 4 leased aircrafts how can they manage it ? if india was serious they make a delivery point in afghanistan and pick load from there with indian planes .