Air cargo services between India and Afghanistan will resume ‘very soon’, a senior official from the Ministry of External Affairs said here on Friday.
Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, highlighted recent developments that will boost trade, including the activation of air freight corridors between Kabul and major Indian cities, which are poised to begin cargo operations soon.
He was speaking at an interactive session that brought together senior leaders from India and Afghanistan to deepen commercial ties and explore new avenues for bilateral investment.
The session, hosted by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), was headlined by Afghanistan’s Industry and Commerce Minister, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, and attended by key Indian government officials and industry leaders.
Prakash confirmed that the groundwork for resuming cargo flights has been completed. “I am pleased to announce that the air freight corridor on the Kabul-Delhi sector and Kabul-Amritsar routes have been activated and cargo flights on these sectors will come very soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, during a press conference after the interactive session, Azizi said, “To support Afghan products and domestic industry, we are working on preferential tariffs, including for raw materials and machinery. We are also focusing on the development of the refugee community. While we recognise that other markets have tough competition, if you come to Afghanistan, the competition will be less, and you will receive support as we implement ongoing economic reforms.”
Earlier, at the meeting, Azizi expressed heartfelt appreciation for India’s long-standing support to Afghanistan, especially in challenging periods.
Highlighting Afghanistan’s pro-investment reforms, he extended an open invitation to Indian businesses to participate in sectors such as mining, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, IT, energy, and textiles.
Azizi announced several new incentives, including a 1 per cent tariff on raw materials and machinery, free land allocations, reliable power supply, and proposed five-year tax exemptions for new industries—particularly those established by returning Afghan refugees.
He also encouraged greater engagement from the Afghan Sikh and Hindu communities and reaffirmed Afghanistan’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful, inclusive, and business-friendly environment for all partners.
At the interactive session, Dr. Prakash underscored the deep civilizational ties between the two nations and announced the reactivation of the Joint Working Group on Trade, Commerce, and Investment.
He encouraged Indian companies to take up high-value opportunities in Afghanistan’s mining sector and confirmed that both countries will soon appoint dedicated trade attachés to facilitate smoother commercial cooperation.