India is committed to provide assistance to Afghanistan, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday. Addressing the weekly press briefing, official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has been ‘stressing’ on friendship with the Afghan people. He also said India has sent a response to Pakistan regarding resuming mutually agreed pilgrim tours.
“The government is committed to extending humanitarian assistance. We have been sharing information about shipment of medicines and vaccines,” said Mr. Bagchi to questions about the plans to send medicines and food items to Afghanistan. India has been in talks with Pakistan and other internationalstakeholders to transfer a large consignmentof wheat to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Reports suggest that the agreement is nearing completion for transferringthe consignment though final details are yet to emerge.
“The process to procure the wheat and its transportation is still under way,” said Mr. Bagchi who also explained that the allocation of ₹200 crore in the Union Budget is a sign of continued attachment with Afghanistan. The allocation of funds for Afghanistan-related projects has gained greater attention as India does not recognise the Taliban set up in Kabul that took power in August.
