Taliban's Commerce Minister Seeks to Boost India Trade Amid Afghanistan's Diversification Drive
Image Source: Internet
In a significant development, Nooruddin Azizi, the Taliban's industry and commerce minister, has arrived in India for a five-day visit aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties. This visit comes just over a month after Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's trip to India, which led to the upgrade of India's technical mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy. Azizi's delegation visited the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, where he was briefed on the facilities and opportunities for Afghanistan to participate in future exhibitions by Neeraj Kharwal, managing director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). The commerce minister also toured the stalls showcasing Afghan products and interacted with Afghan traders in India to discuss market access and expansion prospects. The visit is seen as a strategic move by the Taliban to diversify Afghanistan's trade, which has been disrupted due to escalating tensions with Pakistan, including border closures that have affected exports. India is a key trading partner for Afghanistan, with key exports including pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery, and food items such as sugar, tea, and rice. Afghanistan, on the other hand, imports agricultural products and minerals from India. The Taliban regime is also eyeing Indian investments in mining and hydroelectric projects, and exploring ways to bypass Pakistan for enhanced connectivity. This visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral trade ties and pave the way for increased economic cooperation between the two countries.
