We Need To Speed Up The Zahedan Railway Line Project Says Afghanistan’s Ambassador To India

India and Afghanistan trade and cultural relations date back to back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The two countries have shared a twisted political relationship in the past. However, efforts have been from both sides on mutual cooperation and to increase engagement.

The fate of Zahedan Railway line, a trilateral project between India, Afghanistan and Iran is still uncertain. India has now promised to fast-track the process and Afghanistan has acknowledged the effort.

In an exclusive interview with BW Businessworld, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to India Mr Shaida Mohammad Abdali talks about the benefits of Zahedan Railway line, Indo-Afghan Cooperation on the project and the benefits both the countries can reap from bilateral cooperation in various fields.

What is the current status of Zahedan Railway line? Do you think the Indian Government and IRCON International is taking the right measures for progress?

We do want speed; I think it took much longer than it should have taken to realize the connectivity to Chabahar port through railway line. It already took long but is never too late. At least from now on, we should try to expedite the infrastructure that is required for the port which is going to benefit everyone.

But I do see some speed and urgency on the part of the stakeholders now, as we all will benefit from it in the near future. Now the recent visit of the Indian transport Minister to Iran and putting a year’s deadline to it means there is urgency on the Indian side.

What was the outcome of Indo-Afghan trade show?

That was a very productive trade show between the two countries, in fact, we have been holding such exhibitions for the past few years. It is getting better every year, due to increasing trade ties between the two countries. The trade show was also supported by the US, our other strategic partner. Over 200 Afghan Companies participated. Over 200 million US Dollar trade deals were signed.

Chabahar Port is now operational to some level, Afghanistan also received the first wheat consignment, what are your comments on that? What is Afghanistan’s expectation from it?

We have all witnessed the historic launch, and that brings India and Afghanistan much closer. It is a milestone, it will change the economic landscape of the entire region. It is a game changer as PM Modi puts it. India, Afghanistan, and Iran, worked together for almost 13 years before realizing the life-changing initiative. It is going to dramatically the economic situation of the region.

As you called it a game changer, what kind of job creation are we looking for from this? Is there any kind of specific provision for Afghan Women?

When it comes business, women are an important part of it.  Hundreds of women work as business heads in Afghanistan. It is going to benefit trade which means both men and women. We are looking at lakhs of job creations from it. Millions of jobs to be created ultimately skilled and unskilled.

This is a long-term vision. Here we talk about job creation in India. Iran and Afghanistan. It will still take one year for the port to be fully functional.

Do you think the China Pak, Economic Corridor and OBOR (One Border One Road) is a potential threat to Chabahar? 

Afghanistan believes in initiatives that are aimed at connectivity. We are looking for a win-win situation for the entire region. We should not be stopping any kind of economic initiatives. We should build a trust amongst each other in a sense that no country should be worried about any kind of economic initiative by the other. We have to open our borders to let trade flourish. And not be threatened by other countries. Trade and economics must always be separate from any kind of disputes.