Indian wheat diplomacy in Afghanistan (Agricultural Diplomacy)

In a significant diplomatic development, the first consignment of 2,500 metric tonnes of Indian wheat was carted from Attari to Kabul.

Need of such diplomacy:

• Afghanistan is amidst a major food crisis as nearly 23 million Afghans—over half of the population—are facing extreme levels of hunger.
• This wheat diplomacy presents New Delhi with the opportunity to establish direct communications with the Taliban regime in Kabul.
• India’s investment in Afghanistan:
  • The 2011 India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement recommitted Indian assistance to help rebuild Afghanistan’s infrastructure.
  • Unlike in other countries where India’s infrastructure projects have barely started, it has delivered in Afghanistan.
  • India’s development assistance is now estimated to be worth well over $3 billion.
  • Bilateral trade is now $1.3 billion, with exports from India worth approximately $900 million
    
    

India’s stand on Taliban Regime:

• India has abstained from recognising the Taliban government; but it has extended humanitarian aid amidst the ongoing food crisis.
• Indian officials had previously acknowledged holding a diplomatic meeting with the Taliban in Doha.
• India held first India-Central Asia summit in January, which resulted in the formation of a joint working group aimed at tackling the humanitarian emergency and the matter of Taliban recognition. This allowed India to have a role in shaping the view on Afghanistan and gain insights into the ongoing developments from various stakeholders. 
• Although India has cautioned the international community to deliberate on the consequences of legitimising the Taliban regime, it has expressed its willingness to provide aid to Afghan citizens.