Abdali suggests revival of Amritsar-Kabul air corridor

KABUL‘s Ambassador to India Shaida Mohammad Abdali met Indian Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and discussed the potential for promoting bilateral trade.

Indian media reported on Thursday Abdali proposed the revival of the Amritsar-Kabul air corridor and a pilot project for 1,500 tonnes of cargo trade to boost Afghanistan’s traditionally close ties with Punjab.

Singh said the two shared historical relations and presented to the envoy a book ‘Baba Ala Singh’ by Kirpal Singh, founder of Patiala state. The book traces the Afghan connection with Punjab.

Amarinder showed keenness to strengthen further that connection through trade and other avenues.

Abdali suggested opening a trade corridor through a pilot cargo trade project with pharmaceutical goods, engineering products, woolens, dairy items, fresh and dry fruits, meat, processed food and milk powder.

He also suggested that Punjab should import meat products from Afghanistan.

The chief minister evinced interest in the proposal and directed officials to hold discussions with Afghanistan and work out modalities for the pilot project.

The envoy, who has already visited Amritsar and plans to go to Sirhind tomorrow, also saw huge potential for education for Afghan youth in Punjab.

At present, around 16,000 Afghan students were studying in India, the diplomat said, hailing the quality of university education in Punjab.

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