Zardari nod for wheat transit to Kabul

Afghan President Hamid Karzai informed India that his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari has agreed to allow shipment of 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat from New Delhi to Kabul via Pakistan, reports Tushar Srivastava

Afghan President Hamid Karzai informed India that his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari has agreed to allow shipment of 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat from New Delhi to Kabul via Pakistan.

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Karzai apprised the Indian side of his recent discussions with Zardari, a South Block official, who didn’t want to be identified said, on Monday.

Zardari’s move, however, could face resistance from the Pakistani army and only time would tell if the decision would be implemented, the official. Islamabad has repeatedly rebuffed Kabul and New Delhi on Indian goods heading for Afghanistan being allowed transit through Pakistan.

“The wheat shipment will be effected immediately, as soon as the Afghanistan government works out transportation arrangements,” a joint statement said.

“The leaders called for the full compliance with bilateral, multilateral and international obligations of States to prevent terrorism in any manner originating from territories under their control since terrorism emanates from the sanctuaries and training camps and the sustenance and support received by the terrorist groups,” the statement said.

Karzai, who left on Monday evening, also briefed India on his talks with US vice-president-elect Joe Biden.