India's first consignment of wheat assistance to Afghanistan

India's first consignment of wheat assistance to Afghanistan reached Chabahar today, the external affairs ministry said here.

MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also tweeted on the arrival of the first consignment, a welcome ceremony held at Chabahar port on the landmark occasion attended by dignitaries from India, Iran and Afghanistan.

"The first consignment of wheat assistance to Afghanistan, flagged off by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Afghan Foreign Minister Rabbani, reached Chabahar port today," Kumar tweeted.

The Chabahar port, located in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich Persian Gulf nations southern coast, lies outside the Persian Gulf and can be easily accessed from India's western coast, bypassing Pakistan.

The port is likely to ramp up trade among India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries.

According to officials, six more wheat shipments will be sent to Afghanistan over the next few months.