President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has said two-way trade between both countries should reach $10 billion in the next five years with enhanced air connectivity.

Ghani, who is on a two-day visit to India, urged the Indian government to boost bilateral trade with greater air linkages and increasing the number of flights and cargo operations between New Delhi and Kabul.

“Let us target $10 billion in trade in five years. We are landlocked but we have invested over $30 billion in our airport systems. We can connect our key airports and can have greater connectivity … Free us from the constraints of those neighbours who do not want wish us well,” Ghani said while addressing a business conference here. This comes after the Pakistan government said that Afghanistan can use the Wagah-Attari border only to send their consignments but cannot bring the goods back.

Chabahar Port crucial Ghani said the development of Chabahar Port in Iran is also a crucial factor in establishing greater connectivity and enhancement of trade between India and Afghanistan.

“There are a range of goods that can enter India if multiple flights are operated through affordable air traffic. This can be done immediately … The ancient silk route specialised on goods of high value and low volume can be achieved through air transport,” he added.

Trade and transit issues According to the joint statement, both leaders also discussed trade and transit issues and decided to expedite the implementation of the trilateral agreement, which was signed in May between India, Afghanistan and Iran, by using the Chabahar port in Iran for greater connectivity.

Talks were held between both leaders to relax the visas regime, especially for the business community, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said.

India had been planning to export 1.7 lakh tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan since last year.

However, this did not fructify as Pakistan did not allow the consignments to be shipped through the land border station.

India has decided to offer a grant of $1 billion to Afghanistan towards it development even both countries agreed greater cooperation in defence.

This was decided during a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani here on Wednesday.

During the meeting Modi conveyed India’s “readiness to consider further requirements of Afghanistan for capacity and capability building” in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

India also proposed to supply medicines to Afghanistan and cooperation in solar energy was also discussed.

Terrorism Both leaders discussed the issue of terrorism within the South Asian region and its use for political objectives. Both sides also reaffirmed their resolve to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement.

Ghani is expected to come back to India in December to attend the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference.

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