The first flight under the dedicated India-Afghan air freight corridor will become operational in the next couple of days, thereby, making trade easier between the two countries.

The development is significant as Pakistan does not allow use of its land for trade between Afghanistan and India.

“The first flight (under the dedicated India-Afghan air freight corridor) is likely to operate in next couple of days and will carry Indian goods to Afghanistan and their products to India,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said today.

The concept was discussed between the two countries during the visit of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani last year.

It is aimed at providing the private sector in Afghanistan with a platform to increase their exports to India.

The project was also envisaged to enable traders to export Afghan products to the vast Indian market by air with minimum costs while circumventing the obstacles faced in the land route, which was denied by Pakistan.

Mr. Baglay has said the flight will fly over the Pakistan airspace as it is a civil plane.

Mr. Baglay also said there would be a warm reception to the flight which would bring to Afghan products such as dry fruits to Delhi.

The first flight will be run by Afghanistan’s Ariana Airlines.

He also said that the frequency of the flights under the project would be determined depending on commercial viability as it was a business venture which is supported greatly by the two governments.