Afghanistan’s Industry and Commerce Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi is on an official visit to India to discuss the advancement of bilateral ties. The Afghan minister will be in India for five days.
Taking to social media platform X, the official spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, welcomed the Afghan leader, saying, “A warm welcome to 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.”
According to reports, Azizi is scheduled to meet Indian officials, particularly those dealing with trade and commerce.
Afghan officials said both sides are likely to discuss issues related to expanding bilateral trade volumes—especially agricultural exports to India; boosting Indian exports of pharmaceuticals, machinery, and textiles; establishing more reliable transport corridors through air cargo routes and Iran’s Chabahar port; restoring payment channels disrupted since Afghan banks lost access to SWIFT; and reviving the earlier India–Afghanistan Air Freight Corridor.
Last month, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Afghanistan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi.
After the meeting, Jaishankar said, “This visit marks an important step in advancing our ties and affirming the enduring India–Afghanistan friendship. Discussed India’s support for Afghanistan’s development, our bilateral trade, territorial integrity and independence, people-to-people ties, and capacity building. India will upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of the Embassy of India.”
In the first 11 months of FY 2024–25, Afghanistan exported 296,000 tonnes of agricultural goods worth $143 million, much of it destined for India. Dried fruits alone represent over $518 million, while fresh fruits contribute another $640 million.