Afghanistan Looks To India For Trade Boost, Signalling Major Shift Away From Pakistan
Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, arrived in New Delhi on November 19 for a five-day visit—one of the most significant engagements between India and the Taliban administration since 2021. The high-level trip underscores Kabul’s growing urgency to diversify trade routes as tensions with Pakistan escalate and frequent border closures continue to cripple Afghan exports.
Azizi was received by Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, marking India’s increasing openness to reconnect at the ministerial level. His first stop was the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, where he led a large Afghan delegation aiming to deepen commercial ties. At the event, ITPO Managing Director Neeraj Kharwal briefed him on investment avenues, exhibition facilities, and the potential for expanded Afghan participation in future trade fairs.
The Afghan team explored stalls featuring key export products such as dry fruits, carpets, gemstones, and handicrafts—sectors Kabul hopes to scale up in the Indian market. Azizi also met Afghan traders based in India to discuss market entry challenges, export hurdles, and new business opportunities. His presence at IITF marks the first Afghan ministerial participation since 2021, reflecting a cooling of diplomatic frost and a pivot toward India at a time when Afghanistan seeks alternatives to Pakistan-controlled trade routes.
According to Indian officials, both nations are now preparing to expand full-scale trade via the India-Afghanistan air corridor, with two daily flights to Kabul and an Indian logistics provider onboard to increase cargo capacity. Hopes of reviving trade through Iran’s Chabahar Port have stalled due to US sanctions, pushing both sides to prioritize air connectivity.
India remains one of Afghanistan’s most vital trading partners—exporting pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery, tea, sugar, and rice while importing Afghan agricultural goods and minerals. Kabul is also actively seeking Indian investments in mining and hydropower projects, as well as new connectivity avenues that bypass Pakistan altogether.
With India upgrading its Kabul mission back to a full embassy in October 2025, Azizi’s visit is viewed as a pivotal step in rebuilding economic engagement—and a clear geopolitical signal to the region as Afghanistan shifts its trade focus firmly toward New Delhi.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
