New Delhi [India], November 19 (ANI): Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, arrived in the national capital on Wednesday, marking the start of his official visit to India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) extended a warm welcome to the visiting dignitary, whose trip focuses on advancing bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
“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,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
Azizi will be in India for a five-day official visit, during which he is expected to attend the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025. He is also scheduled to hold meetings with Indian officials, particularly those engaged in trade and commerce.
This visit marks one of the highest-level engagements from the Taliban-led government to India since the group took control of Kabul in August 2021.
Last month, Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, concluded a six-day visit to India, marking the highest-level interaction between New Delhi and the Taliban regime since the takeover. During his trip, Muttaqi stated that India and Afghanistan had agreed to establish a trade committee to enhance economic cooperation.
“Both sides agreed to create a trade committee… Due to opportunities opened in Afghanistan in terms of investment and activities in minerals and energy, we invited the Indian side to explore work in these areas,” he said, emphasizing prospects for increased collaboration.
India subsequently restored the status of its Technical Mission in Kabul, elevating it back to an Embassy following Muttaqi’s visit. According to an MEA release, the decision reflects India’s resolve to deepen bilateral engagement across all sectors of mutual interest.
“In keeping with the decision announced during the recent visit of the Afghan Foreign Minister to India, the Government is restoring the status of the Technical Mission of India in Kabul to that of the Embassy of India in Afghanistan with immediate effect. This decision underscores India’s resolve to deepen its bilateral engagement with the Afghan side in all spheres of mutual interest,” the MEA noted.
The statement added that the Embassy of India in Kabul will enhance India’s contribution to Afghanistan’s comprehensive development, humanitarian support, and capacity-building initiatives, in alignment with the priorities and aspirations of Afghan society.
About The Author
