Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a five-day official visit. The Taliban minister visit to India to advance bilateral trade and investment ties. Azizi met Indian officials and traders on day one. The delegation aims to secure Indian investments in Afghanistan’s mining and energy sectors. This marks the second high-level Taliban visit to India in two months. The focus includes utilising the Chabahar port for transit routes.
This visit matters in South Asia as it counters Pakistan’s border shutdowns that disrupted $1.1 billion in Afghan trade over six months. India offers an alternative corridor via Iran. Bilateral trade reached $1.0087 billion in fiscal year 2024-25, according to India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Afghanistan exported $541 million in goods, mainly agricultural products, to India. This shift reduces Kabul’s reliance on Karachi port. It signals New Delhi’s pragmatic engagement despite not recognising the Taliban government. Regional stability hinges on diversified trade routes amid escalating cross-border tensions.
Advancing Afghanistan-India Trade Ties
Azizi’s itinerary includes talks with India’s Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal, and External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar. The Afghan Commerce Ministry stated that the meetings target economic cooperation and joint investment opportunities. “These meetings will focus on expanding economic cooperation, facilitating trade relations, creating joint investment opportunities, and strengthening Afghanistan’s role in regional transit routes,” the ministry said in a press release.
Azizi visited the India International Trade Fair 2025 at Pragati Maidan upon arrival. He interacted with Afghan traders in India to discuss market access and trade opportunities. Neeraj Kharwal, Managing Director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation, briefed the delegation on exhibition facilities and future participation prospects. This marks the first such ministerial engagement at the fair since 2021.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Azizi on X. “A warm welcome to the Afghan Industry and Commerce Minister, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, on his official visit to India. Advancing bilateral trade and investment ties is the key focus of the visit,” Jaiswal posted at 4:35 PM on Wednesday.
The delegation comprises senior economic officials and business representatives. They seek access to Indian grains, medicines, and industrial goods. Discussions focus on restoring payment channels that were lost since Afghan banks exited SWIFT in 2021. Both sides aim to revive the India-Afghanistan Air Freight Corridor for perishables.
Afghanistan’s trade through Iran reached $1.6 billion in the past six months, surpassing Pakistan’s $1.1 billion. This data from the Afghan commerce ministry underscores the pivot to alternative routes. India operates the Chabahar port, which has direct land links to Afghanistan. Last month, New Delhi secured a six-month waiver from US sanctions to continue its operations. Afghan Director Mohammadullah Bakhtyar highlighted Chabahar’s strategic value for open-sea access during a meeting in Kabul.
Indian Investments in Afghanistan: Key Sectors
Indian investments in Afghanistan primarily focus on mining and hydroelectric projects. Sources indicate that Azizi will pitch opportunities in the minerals and energy sectors. During October’s visit by Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, both nations agreed to form a trade committee. “Both sides agreed to create a trade committee. Due to opportunities opened in Afghanistan in terms of investment and activities in minerals and energy, we invited the Indian side to explore work in these areas,” Muttaqi told journalists after meeting Jaishankar.
India upgraded its Kabul mission from technical status to full embassy post-Muttaqi’s trip. The Ministry of External Affairs release noted this underscores New Delhi’s resolve to deepen engagement in mutual interest spheres. Jaishankar announced the change during their October 10 meeting. They discussed India’s humanitarian aid, including food supplies after an earthquake.
Trade data shows complementarity. Afghanistan exported 296,000 tonnes of agricultural goods worth $143 million to India in the first 11 months of fiscal 2024-25. Dried fruits alone fetched $518 million in exports ending March 2025, per Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment. India supplied $333 million in pharmaceuticals, machinery, and processed foods in 2024, according to United Nations COMTRADE.
The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised an interactive session for Azizi on Thursday. Ministry of External Affairs officials will attend. Afghan traders urged visa facilitation and banking resolutions. Omid Haidari, an Afghan businessman, called for a commission to tackle transit and transportation issues.
This Taliban minister visit to India builds on historical ties strained since the 2021 Taliban takeover. India withdrew embassy staff then but maintained technical presence. New Delhi competes with China for influence while addressing Pakistan-related concerns like cross-border terrorism. Analysts note recalibrated relations due to Islamabad’s deteriorating stance.
Afghanistan’s economy relies on agriculture for 60-80% employment, though it contributes under a third of GDP. Exports exceed $2 billion annually, with 94% from agricultural, mineral, and textile products. The Afghani appreciated 9% against the US dollar in Q3 2023, aiding stability. Yet, structural issues like drought and market access persist.
Background
India and Afghanistan share deep cultural links. Pre-2021, New Delhi invested $3 billion in aid, including Salma Dam and Parliament building. Post-takeover, focus shifted to humanitarian support. India delivered vaccines and earthquake relief via Chabahar. A five-day Jaipur Foot camp in Kabul fitted 75 prosthetic limbs in June 2025.
Bilateral trade volume reached $890 million in solar year 1403 (March 2024-March 2025), per Taliban Ministry of Industry and Commerce spokesperson Abdul Salam Jawad. Imports from India hit $430 million in 2025, ranking fourth among partners.
Pakistan’s border closures since clashes have frozen trade. Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar urged merchants to diversify on November 13. This pushes Kabul towards India and Iran.
What’s Next
The visit could yield a joint statement on Chabahar utilisation and investment pacts. Afghan officials eye zero-tariff extensions for more goods. India may announce aid for agricultural tech. Follow-up trade committee meetings could target $2 billion volume by 2027. The Taliban minister visit to India sets a template for pragmatic diplomacy in South Asia.
This engagement promises sustained Afghanistan India trade ties and fresh Indian investments in Afghanistan. Regional powers watch as Kabul navigates isolation.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, November 20th, 2025
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