In October 2017, India sent its first shipment of wheat to Afghanistan as part of a commitment to supply 1.1 million tonnes of wheat on a grant basis. Through which country was this strategic shipment routed?

Introduction / Context:
This question connects modern Indian foreign policy with geography and regional connectivity. In 2017, India decided to send wheat to Afghanistan on a grant basis. Because of political tensions and transit restrictions, India had to choose an alternative route. Knowing the chosen transit country helps students understand India’s use of ports, especially the Chabahar route, and its strategy to reach landlocked Afghanistan without relying on Pakistan.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The year is October 2017.
• India sent its first wheat shipment to Afghanistan under a 1.1 million tonne commitment.
• The shipment had to transit through a third country.
• Options list Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan and China.

Concept / Approach:
The key idea is India's use of the Chabahar port in Iran as an alternative to routes through Pakistan. Pakistan has often denied or restricted overland transit for Indian goods going to Afghanistan. To bypass these restrictions, India developed and used the Chabahar port in Iran, from where goods can be transported by road to Afghanistan. Therefore, the correct route for that first wheat shipment was via Iran, not via Pakistan or other neighbouring countries mentioned in the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Afghanistan is landlocked and depends on neighbouring countries for sea access. Step 2: Remember that Pakistan has often not provided easy overland transit to Indian goods meant for Afghanistan. Step 3: Connect this with news about India developing the Chabahar port in Iran as an alternative route. Step 4: Note that in October 2017, the first wheat shipment used this Chabahar based corridor. Step 5: Match this fact with the options and choose Iran as the transit country.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by recalling that India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement to develop the Chabahar port and related connectivity. Media reports highlighted that the first shipment of wheat to Afghanistan through this route marked the operationalization of this initiative. Pakistan, though geographically convenient, was not used due to political and transit issues, while Tajikistan and China do not match the known Chabahar based corridor. This cross check confirms that the shipment went through Iran.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Pakistan: Although it shares borders with both India and Afghanistan, political tensions and transit denials meant India did not use this route for the 2017 wheat shipment.
Tajikistan: It borders Afghanistan, but the first wheat shipment was not routed through Tajik territory; the key project was based on Iran's port facilities.
China: China does not share a convenient trade corridor from India to Afghanistan for this wheat shipment, and there was no such widely reported route in 2017.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may instinctively choose Pakistan because it appears to be the most direct overland route between India and Afghanistan. Others may overthink and pick Tajikistan due to its northern border with Afghanistan. The best way to avoid confusion is to remember the importance of the Chabahar project, which is frequently mentioned in relation to India Afghanistan trade that bypasses Pakistan. Linking this question to that project clearly points to Iran.

Final Answer:
The shipment was routed through Iran using the Chabahar corridor.