India has sent the second batch of wheat shipment as part of its humanitarian assistance to crisis-hit Afghanistan which has been going through what has become one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. The assistance will be distributed by the World Food Program.

“Second convoy of India’s humanitarian assistance carrying 2000 MTs of wheat left Attari, Amritsar today (Thursday) for Jalalabad, Afghanistan,” Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, tweeted.

Indian officials attended a ceremony on Thursday at the Attari-Wagah border and sent the shipment, part of its 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat announced last year. It is carried by Afghan trucks and drivers and will reach the eastern city of Afghanistan in a few days. 

Following the Taliban’s takeover of power, Afghanistan plunged into a humanitarian crisis as the US and western countries sanctioned the regime and stopped its all development and aid assistance. There was a widespread shortage of food, fuel, and other essentials.

New Delhi had promised the Taliban officials to send 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat and medicines as part of its assistance to help struggling Afghans.

The shipment, which would pass through Pakistan, was delayed as New Delhi and Islamabad took almost four months to work out the modalities for transit. The first batch of wheat shipment was sent on 22 February. Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid had thanked India for sending the much-needed assistance. 

(SAM)