Afghanistan dispatches first exports to India via Chabahar Port

Muscat: Afghanistan's first convoy of goods bound for India via Iran's Chabahar Port has been officially dispatched, the country's President confirmed.

The route will connect the Abrisham Bridge in Zaranj, Nimroz to the port, from where the exports will be sent to India. The bridge was inaugurated by President Ashraf Ghani in a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Afghan leader then dispatched a group of cargo trucks carrying 570 tons of export goods to the Iranian port, with India their final destination.

It is the first time the country will use the Chabahar Port to export goods.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Ghani said Afghanistan's use of the port was the result of healthy cooperation between India, Iran and Afghanistan.

He also confirmed that the route linking Chabahar and Nimroz would be protected by an elite unit from the National Directorate of Security to ensure safe flow of goods.