Afghan Exporters Urge Action as India Keeps Wagah Trade Route Closed

A number of Afghan dried fruit exporters have expressed concern over the continued closure of the Atari–Wagah border crossing.

They are urging the Islamic Emirate authorities to initiate diplomatic talks with Indian officials to resolve the issue.

The Atari–Wagah crossing, one of the most important and cost-effective trade routes between Afghanistan and India via Pakistan, has been closed to Afghan export goods for over a week.

Faisal Amarkhil, a dried fruit exporter, said: “Most of our products are exported through this border, and this has created serious problems for us and other traders who can’t deliver their goods on time.”

Peer Mohammad, a dried fruit producer, said: “The closure of Wagah at this time has heavily impacted dried fruit exports. Even farmers who produce these goods are suffering from this disruption.”

Meanwhile, a letter from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, obtained by , confirms that New Delhi has suspended all transit and import goods via Pakistan until further notice.

The Kabul Dried Fruit Union said that while Pakistan has reopened the Atari–Wagah route, it remains closed on the Indian side.

The union also stated that 150 containers of Afghan export goods are currently awaiting entry into India.

Khalid Rahmani, spokesperson for the Kabul Dried Fruit Union, said: “The union of dried fruit exporters calls on the Islamic Emirate to address this issue through diplomatic channels with India to ensure the immediate reopening of this route.”

Following escalating political and security tensions between India and Pakistan on April 22, the Atari–Wagah border was shut down for all forms of trade between the two countries.