Watch: India-Afghanistan Air Corridor’s First Flight Arrives in New Delhi

The India-Afghanistan Air Corridor’s first flight has arrived in New Delhi in the presence of Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj who had come to witness the arrival of the momentous flight personally.

President Ashraf Ghani had inaugurated the Air Corridor earlier at the Kabul International Airport. Ghani also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Air Corridor and stated that the route would create more opportunities for Afghan business and allow Afghanistan to emerge as an exporter nation.

The flight carried with it 60 tonnes of medicinal plants, primarily hing. The Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) stated that the goods carried were valued at $11 million.

President Ghani initiated the corridor during his visit to India in 2016 in the backdrop of the Heart of Asia Conference. For the finalisation of this project, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the chief executive officers of Afghanistan's Ariana Airlines and ACCI.

Afghanistan’s Ambassador to India, Shaida Abdali, hailed the initiative as significant, stating that it was just the beginning and further expansion is set to take place to include Afghanistan’s other provinces and the goods they produce.

The Afghan business community has also enthusiastically welcomed this move. They have also stated that from India, these products could be exported across the world, which will benefit the landlocked country even more.