The bilateral trade for the year 2016-17 was USD 800 million approx and has immense potential to be expanded further. However, the trade relations will realize its true potential once the Wagah-Attari route is opened for bilateral trade. So far, the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) has been restrictive in this aspect.
India is the largest market in the region for Afghan products and the blocking of transit has affected the free movement of commodities. One of the bjectives of building Zaranj-Delaram road by India was to boost bilateral economic relations besides offering Afghanistan another outlet to a seaport.
The successful operation of the Chabahar port in Iran would capitalize on this road to offer a new transit route of Afghan products to India while opening a new route for India, and the rest of the world, for trade with Central Asia.
