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BySayed Yahya Akhlaqi

Afghanistan, given its ancient history and strategic and geopolitical location in the heart of Asia and on the ancient Silk Route can play a pivotal role in the economic development of the region. Afghanistan with its unique location is able to act as a linking ring of Southern and Northern Asia, Middle East and Western Asia and can play its extraordinary role in regions economic development and stability.

Considering the rich energy resources of Central Asian countries, and an acute need for it in the South Asian countries, Afghanistan can serve as a link for this connectivity. Without a doubt facilitating transit and access by Central Asian countries to South Asian Markets and vice versa can very much help in the economic growth and prosperity of the region. On one hand, it is important to transport natural gas, fuel and electricity from countries located northwards of Afghanistan to her southern neighboring countries like India for the development of domestic production and industrial development. And on the other hand, for the products of these South Asian countries can be exported to Central Asian countries, particularly those products from India such as tea, coffee and equipment required for upgradation and modernization of the existing industrial infrastructure and in the agricultural sector as well.

When Afghanistan acquires the capacity to build a port and the road via Vakhan Valley to Xinjiang province of China, then Afghanistan would get not only better transit advantages but this route would serve as a shortest path for export of products of PRC to West Asian countries by road, and on the other hand China for increase of its productions would need more raw materials and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan could be the source for supply of those materials because this country as a linking land bridge which offers unique opportunities for the economic development of the region.

Afghanistan is one of those countries which possesses especial geographical location with special transit advantage, and can desirably use this advantage through the extension of transport, transit, communication networks and establishment of a reliable transportation system to enhance economic benefits. Chabahar can be a good example of transit transport communication between Afghanistan and India as well as other Asian and African countries. Chabahar allows India to side-step Pakistan, which blocks its access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

On their part, Indians are cognisant of its strategic location and its potential for opening a route to Afghanistan and Central Asia. There have been two significant trips where the port has figured in discussions on investment and connectivity. During Prime Minister Narendra Modis trip to Tokyo last November, his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, agreed to help India with the Chabahar project. Both leaders directed their aides to hammer out a plan to fast-track the project. India wants Japanese investment and help in building the railway track between the port city and Zahedan. Both India and Japan see strategic convergence in Chabahar as it allows the landlocked countries of Central Asia to find a route away from ports that enjoy Chinese domination like Gwadar.

The presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, during their visits to Delhi, were also promised access to this warm water port. From all standpoints Chahbahar located in the Oman Sea away from the turbulence of the Persian Sea region, has the potential to reorder old routes into new ties. Afghanistan can act as a land bridge to Eurasia including Central Asian countries. Russia and the Central Asian countries are also in need of a southern opening into South Asia. Importantly the Central Asian countries will also have access to warm water ports in the Arabian Sea.

Completion of Railway project Sangan-Khaf in Iran and its extension up to Afghanistan, the extension of the Railroad from Aqina up to Shirkhan Bandar and finally into Tajikistan, operationalization of final station of the Hairatan- Mazar-e-Sharif railroad, completion of transportation of energy which includes electricity transmission project from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan, operationalization of route to Chabahar port, Lapis Lazuli Route Agreement for exports and imports Afghanistan position as the hub of trade, transit and transport corridor connecting east with west, and north with south is obvious.

(Director of Transit and Trade Facilitation in Afghanistan Ministry of Commerce and Industries)

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

See the article here:
Afghanistan: Transit hub for the region - Economic Times (blog)