Afghanistan’s international trading capability is witnessing a crucial transformation with the start of exports to India through Iran’s Chabahar port. This marks a novel phase in Afghanistan’s commerce, which is expected to significantly enhance India’s connectivity to Afghanistan and beyond.
International Commerce Through Chabahar Port
The export of goods under the International Road Transports’ TIR convention aims to create a seamless channel of connectivity. India sees Chabahar as a strategic gateway to Central Asia and the International North-South Transport Corridor that links Mumbai to Moscow. For landlocked Afghanistan, the Chabahar port provides an essential link to global markets and opportunities.
The mutual trade between India and Afghanistan surged by 40% in 2018-19, surpassing USD 1 billion. Impressively, Afghanistan maintains a substantial trade surplus with India, making it the only country where Afghanistan enjoys this advantage.
Boost in Afghanistan-India Trade
| Year | Trade Value (in USD) |
|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 1 Billion+ |
| 2017-18 | 740 Million |
The Significance of Bandipur National Park
Moving from international commerce to environmental matters, recent developments have recognized the significance of Bandipur National Park. NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (NASA-FIRMS) detected 32 fire incidents in Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta range of Bandipur National Park.
The national park, located where the Deccan Plateau meets the Western Ghats in Karnataka, is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It connects with the Nagarhole National Park, Mudumalai National Park, and the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The Park hosts various biomes including dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests, and shrublands.
NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS)
NASA-FIRMS is a reliable source for Near-Real-Time (NRT) active fire data. The system provides this information within three hours of satellite overpass from NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and NASA’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS).
Supporting Farmers: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
In an effort to provide financial stability to vulnerable agricultural workers in India, the Prime Minister launched the PM-KISAN scheme from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. The initiative supports landholding farmer families with cultivable land up to 2 hectares by offering direct income support at the rate of Rs. 6,000 per year.
Administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, this scheme aims to alleviate farm sector distress triggered by lower sales realisation of food-grains, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton and horticulture crops. Eligible families identified by the State Government and UT Administration will receive the support directly into their bank accounts in three equal installments of Rs. 2,000 each.
The program estimates an annual expenditure of Rs.75,000 crore, funded by the Indian Government. It is expected to benefit around 12 crore small and marginal farmer families across India.