As part of its rebuilding exercise, Afghanistan is focusing on reviving the legendary Silk Route and build new ones preferring Indian businessmen and investors in the process, the war-torn country's envoy said here Monday.
"Afghanistan is undergoing transition since the last 13 years and during our rebuilding period from 2014-2024, we are focusing on reviving the old trade routes which benefited us in the past as well as build new ones," Ambassador to India Sahida Mohammad Abdali said on the sidelines of an event organised by Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
According to him, the country is in talks with its neighbours for reviving the historic Silk Route and building a Lapis Lazuli route.
"The Lapis Lazuli route involves countries including Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia and goes out to the Baltic coast," said Abdali.
With growing Indian concerns about the revival of the historic route used by the Chinese to export silk to Asia and Europe, Abdali said he has another alternative plan ready "in case the Silk Route doesn't work out".
India may have concerns as the land trade route goes through Pakistan, he noted.
"We are in talks with India and Iran for (making use of) the Chabahar port (in Iran) to boost trade. The investment plan has been worked out for the three participating countries, and we are signing it up very soon," he said.
Abdali, who was deputy national security advisor to former Afghan president Hamid Karzai, said his country prefers Indian investment and businessmen for the rebuilding process.
"We have introduced three years' multiple entry visas for Indian businessmen. We want to offer investment proposals (to) whom we like the most and Afghanistan has perceived India as a real friend," he said.
"All investment is not equal to us (emotionally). We want investment close to our heart."
According to Abdali, Indians have huge investment potential in infrastructure, power, mining, agro industries, banking and several other sectors.
"We have the potential to generate 300,000 MW of energy. While we need 5,000 MW domestically, the rest can be exported," he said.
Presently, bilateral trade between India and its neighbour account for nearly $800 million which may scale up to $3 billion once the Chabahar port deal gets through.
"I am confident that the Chabahar port deal will be concluded soon and our bilateral trade with India will scale up to $3 billion then," said Abdali.
