In an apparent display of its “hostility” towards Bharat, Pakistan removed the banners inscribed with “India’s message of love” for Afghans from the trucks carrying humanitarian aid sent by Bharat to Afghanistan.

The trucks carrying the aid had entered Pakistan’s territory a couple of days ago before continuing with their journey towards Afghanistan.

Bearing banners inscribed with the message “Gift from the people of India to the people of Afghanistan”, around 41 trucks, carrying 2,500 tonnes of wheat, had rolled into the Pakistani territory through the Attari-Wagha border after these were flagged-off on Tuesday by Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla.

Farid Mamundzay, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to India, was also present on the occasion.

The consignment is part of the 50,000 tonnes of wheat promised by Bharat as aid to Afghanistan.

The Bharatiya government has been providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan ever since the Taliban took over the country in August last year.

The Central government had sent a proposal to Pakistan last year regarding transit of wheat to Afghanistan, which had received a positive response.

Afghan trucks were allowed into Bharat’s side via Pakistan to collect the wheat. These were decorated with banners bearing a “Message of Love” from Bharat. However, these trucks were delayed on the Pakistani side after they crossed the Attari border.

Sources said these trucks were sent to Afghanistan late on Wednesday night, but only after removing the banners.

“Besides hinting its hostility towards India, this gesture of Pakistan made it quite evident that it opposes India’s bonhomie with Afghanistan,” they added.

(The story has been published via a syndicated feed with a modified headline and a few minor edits to conform to HinduPost style-guide.)