The emerging Kabul–Delhi air-cargo corridor is not merely a channel for commercial connectivity; it is also emerging as a potential new route for the transfer of weapons, financial resources, military equipment and other logistical support for activities aimed at destabilising Pakistan.
Ariana Afghan Airlines has announced plans to commence direct cargo flights between Kabul and New Delhi, marking a significant expansion of air connectivity between Afghanistan and India.
Following restrictions on Iran’s land and air routes, the Kabul–Delhi corridor could become an effective avenue for the covert transfer of arms and ammunition into Afghanistan. The route could subsequently be exploited to provide weapons, financial resources and logistical support to militant organisations, including Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan, for a proxy campaign against Pakistan.
The stated prioritisation of the “health sector and medical supplies” as a key area of these air services has also raised serious questions. Critics point out that, given Afghanistan’s prevailing economic conditions, ordinary and financially vulnerable Afghan citizens struggle to afford even basic healthcare, making the economic rationale for extensive and costly air-cargo and medical-transfer services questionable. Concerns have further been raised that patient-transfer facilities could primarily benefit members of the Taliban leadership, elite circles and other influential figures.
Pakistan has consistently maintained that Afghan territory is being used, with Indian backing, for activities directed against Pakistan. In this context, the establishment and expansion of direct air-cargo services between Kabul and New Delhi further intensify concerns regarding coordination between Indian intelligence networks, elements of the Afghan Taliban’s intelligence structure and anti-Pakistan militant organisations.
The announcement regarding the expansion of Kabul–Delhi cargo flights comes at a time when evidence concerning the financing of anti-Pakistan militant groups operating from Afghan territory, as well as their links with India, has come to light.
A recently surfaced classified document contains details regarding links between India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), elements of the Afghan Taliban’s intelligence structure, and militant organisations including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Fitna al-Khawarij, among others. The document details contacts, financial assistance and cooperation directed towards anti-Pakistan activities.
According to the reported assessment, RAW allocated more than US$7.8 million to facilitate joint attacks involving Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij.
The reported intelligence findings raise serious concerns regarding the potential use of emerging commercial aviation links for covert financial, military and logistical purposes.
Without transparent oversight, comprehensive cargo screening and effective verification mechanisms, such routes could be exploited for the movement of financial resources, military equipment, weapons, ammunition and other prohibited or restricted materials.
The expansion of the Kabul–Delhi air-cargo corridor therefore warrants heightened scrutiny, stringent monitoring and robust security safeguards to ensure that legitimate commercial and humanitarian activities are not exploited to facilitate militant financing, arms transfers or other activities threatening Pakistan’s national security and regional stability.
