Jaishankar, Afghan Minister Azizi Discuss Trade, Connectivity and Regional Cooperation in New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 2025 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held a meeting on Thursday with Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, in New Delhi, where both sides explored avenues to strengthen trade, connectivity, and people-to-people engagement. The meeting comes at a time when Afghanistan is seeking to diversify its economic partnerships and enhance its regional connectivity amid heightened tensions with Pakistan.

Following the talks, EAM Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s longstanding commitment to supporting the development and welfare of the Afghan people. “Pleased to meet Industry and Commerce Minister of Afghanistan, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, in New Delhi this evening. Discussed ways to strengthen our trade, connectivity and people-to-people ties. Reiterated India’s support for the development and welfare of the people of Afghanistan,” he posted on X.

Azizi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday, leading a high-ranking Afghan delegation on an official visit aimed at boosting bilateral trade and leveraging India-developed infrastructure, including the strategically important Chabahar Port in Iran. According to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the goal of the visit is to activate and effectively utilise Chabahar’s full potential to increase trade flows and attract foreign investments.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed Azizi’s visit, emphasising the importance of maintaining strong commercial and investment ties with Afghanistan. “Advancing bilateral trade and investment ties is the key focus of the visit,” the MEA said in a post on X, underscoring India’s intent to expand economic engagement despite the complex political landscape in Afghanistan.

As part of the visit, the Afghan delegation toured the India International Trade Fair (IITF) on Wednesday evening. Minister Azizi interacted with Afghan traders exhibiting local products ranging from dry fruits and carpets to handicrafts and gemstones. He discussed issues related to market access, supply-chain challenges, and expanding the presence of Afghan products in Indian markets.

This visit marks the first by an Afghan Minister to the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) since 2021 and comes amid frequent border closures between Afghanistan and Pakistan that have severely disrupted Afghan exports. These disruptions have prompted Kabul to seek alternative trade routes, particularly through India.

India remains an important trading partner for Afghanistan. Key Indian exports include pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery, sugar, tea, and rice, while Afghanistan exports agricultural products, dry fruits, herbs, and minerals to India. Kabul is also looking to attract Indian investments in sectors such as mining, hydropower, food processing, and energy.

According to a statement issued by the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the primary agenda of the delegation is to “expand economic cooperation, facilitate trade relations, create joint investment opportunities, and strengthen Afghanistan’s role in the region’s transit routes.” The statement further described the visit as an “important step toward strengthening economic and commercial relations between the two countries.”

A major highlight of the discussions is Afghanistan’s keen interest in utilizing the Chabahar Port more effectively. With rising tensions and periodic border closures with Pakistan causing significant losses to Afghan traders, Chabahar offers an alternative trade corridor that bypasses Pakistan entirely. The port, developed with Indian assistance, provides Afghanistan access to global markets through the Arabian Sea.

The Afghan ministry expressed optimism that the outcomes of this visit will “improve communications, boost trade, and develop transit routes,” further solidifying India’s role in Afghanistan’s regional trade strategy.

The meeting between EAM Jaishankar and Minister Azizi signals renewed momentum in India–Afghanistan economic cooperation, laying the groundwork for deeper ties rooted in mutual benefit and regional stability.