Afghanistan India Trade Boosts as Kabul Strengthens Ties With New Delhi

Afghanistan has taken a major step toward increasing trade with India as tensions with Pakistan continue to disrupt the country’s access to global markets. The move comes after Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, arrived in New Delhi on November 19 for a five-day official visit.

High-Level Visit Signals Growing Cooperation

Minister Azizi was welcomed at the airport by Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, showing India’s growing willingness to engage with Afghanistan at a senior level. This is one of the strongest diplomatic and economic engagements between the two sides since 2021.

Focus On Trade And Business Expansion

His first major event in India was a visit to the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 in New Delhi. At the fair, he led a large Afghan delegation aiming to expand economic opportunities and build new trade partnerships. Officials from India briefed him on investment options, trade facilities, and ways Afghanistan could increase its participation in future exhibitions.

The Afghan delegation also visited several stalls displaying products such as carpets, gemstones, handicrafts, and dry fruits—some of Afghanistan’s most important exports. Minister Azizi also met Afghan business owners operating in India to discuss trade barriers, market access, and ways to grow exports.

This visit marks the first time since 2021 that an Afghan minister has attended the fair, showing a diplomatic thaw between the two countries.

Behind The Shift: Issues With Pakistan

Afghanistan’s growing interest in India comes at a time when border closures, trade restrictions, and rising tensions with Pakistan have made it difficult for Afghan goods to reach international markets. Repeated border shutdowns have caused heavy losses to Afghan exporters, pushing Kabul to seek reliable alternatives.

A senior Indian official confirmed that both countries are now working to expand the India-Afghanistan air corridor. Two cargo flights currently operate daily between India and Kabul, and an Indian logistics company is joining the effort to further increase freight capacity.

Afghanistan had earlier hoped to revive shipping routes through Iran’s Chabahar Port, but sanctions have made that route difficult at the moment. As a result, both sides are focusing more strongly on air trade links.

Trade Relationship Strengthening Rapidly

India remains among Afghanistan’s most important trade partners. India exports rice, tea, sugar, textiles, medicines, and machinery to Afghanistan, while Afghanistan exports agricultural goods, gemstones, and minerals.

Kabul is also seeking Indian investment in mining and hydroelectric projects, which could significantly boost Afghanistan’s domestic economy. With India upgrading its embassy in Kabul to full operations in October 2025, the latest visit is seen as a major step in rebuilding relations.

A Strategic Message To The Region

This shift also sends a strong political message. Afghanistan is showing that it does not want to rely solely on Pakistan for its international trade routes and is instead working to strengthen economic ties with India.

With growing cooperation, a functional air corridor, and expanding diplomatic engagement, both countries are positioning themselves for a stronger trade partnership in the years ahead.