Afghanistan’s Taliban trade minister arrived in India on Wednesday for his first official visit, aiming to boost investments and trade between the two countries. Both nations are exploring ways to strengthen their relations amid deteriorating ties with neighbouring Pakistan. Last month, India upgraded its engagement with Afghanistan by reopening its embassy in Kabul, which had been closed since the Taliban takeover in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO forces. India is also increasing aid to Afghanistan as it seeks to counter China’s influence in the region.
During the visit, Afghan Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi is scheduled to meet with his Indian counterpart, the foreign minister, and various traders and investors. According to Afghanistan’s commerce ministry, these discussions will focus on expanding economic cooperation, enhancing trade relations, creating joint investment opportunities, and strengthening Afghanistan’s role in regional transit networks. Afghanistan, being landlocked, is eager to access essential goods such as grains, medicines, and industrial supplies. The recent closure of its border with Pakistan, following deadly clashes last month, has heightened its reliance on alternative routes.
India operates the Iranian port of Chabahar, which provides land access to Afghanistan, and last month, it received a six-month waiver from U.S. sanctions to continue port operations. This move reduces Kabul’s dependence on the Pakistani port of Karachi. Over the past six months, Afghanistan has traded approximately $1.6 billion through Iran, surpassing the $1.1 billion traded with Pakistan, according to Afghanistan’s commerce ministry.
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India’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, emphasised that strengthening bilateral trade and investment is the main goal of Azizi’s visit. Although India and Afghanistan have maintained friendly relations historically, India does not officially recognise the current Taliban government. Analysts suggest that both New Delhi and the Taliban are recalibrating their relationship due to worsening ties with Pakistan and concerns over China’s increasing influence in Afghanistan.
