As Pakistan has had bad relations with both India and Afghanistan, it does not permit these countries to use its territory for overland trade. And, using Iran to reach Afghanistan does not go well with the US.
India is making its best efforts to come up to the expectations of the US regarding its role in South Asia. However, the country is facing some tough decisions as it tries to ensure aid to bring economic stability in Afghanistan. As India sends ship-loads of wheat, it is in conundrum whether to reach Afghanistan through Pakistan or Iran.
“India’s activity at Chabahar is more than a decade in the making, but the country now finds itself steering between its own rival in Pakistan and an arch US foe in Iran in order to reach Afghanistan, where the Trump administration is eager to see New Delhi offer economic and security assistance,†Business Insider reported.
India sent its first of seven shipments of 1.1 million metric tons of wheat for the people of Afghanistan on a grant basis in October, which would be transshipped through the Chabahar port in Iran.  That time Ministry of External Affairs of India said in a statement, “The shipment of wheat is a landmark moment as it will pave the way for operationalization of the Chabahar port as an alternate, reliable and robust connectivity for Afghanistan. It will open up new opportunities for trade and transit from and to Afghanistan and enhance trade and commerce between the three countries and the wider region.â€
The report highlighted that Washington is eager to see India play a bigger role to ensure stability in Afghanistan. The Trump administration has reiterated its commitment to Afghanistan and announced earlier that it would withhold its financial aid to Pakistan to help the war-torn country.
As Pakistan has had bad relations with both India and Afghanistan, it does not permit these countries to use its territory for overland trade. And, using Iran to reach Afghanistan does not go well with the US.