Afghan minister pitches for revived trade ties with India

Afghanistan’s Commerce and Industry Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi Monday said his visit to India could reset bilateral economic engagement that has stalled since the Taliban takeover, stressing that both sides are looking to “reactivate historic relations” in trade and investment.

Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Azizi thanked India’s External Affairs Ministry and Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry for facilitating the trip. He said technical teams and private-sector representatives from both countries have been in constant touch to explore practical areas of cooperation.

“This visit opens new opportunities for both countries to work together… The objective is to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and reactivate our historic relations in trade, investment and other areas,” he said.

This visit is the first by an Afghan minister to ITPO since 2021, set against escalating Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions, including border closures disrupting exports. This has prompted Afghanistan to diversify trade with India.