New Delhi [India], November 20 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday met Afghanistan’s Industry and Commerce Minister, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, in the national capital as part of the Taliban leader’s five-day official visit to India.
During the meeting, both leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral trade, enhance connectivity, and deepen people-to-people ties between the two countries. In a post on X, Jaishankar said the two ministers explored avenues for boosting economic cooperation and supporting development initiatives, while reiterating India’s continued commitment to the 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,” the post read.
Azizi arrived in India on Wednesday for his official visit. The Ministry of External Affairs extended a warm welcome to the visiting dignitary, whose trip aims to bolster bilateral trade and investment ties between the two nations. This marks one of the highest-level visits from the Taliban government to India since the group took control of Kabul in August 2021.
Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, earlier concluded a six-day visit to India in October 2025, marking the highest-level engagement between New Delhi and the Taliban regime since the 2021 takeover.
On Wednesday, Azizi led a high-level delegation to the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, seeking to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations. During the visit, he met with Neeraj Kharwal, Managing Director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation, to discuss opportunities for Afghanistan to participate in future exhibitions.
Azizi toured several stalls, including Afghan exhibits showcasing local products, and interacted with traders to explore market access and expansion prospects.
His visit comes amid escalating tensions between the regime and Pakistan due to recent border clashes that resulted in border closures and disrupted exports. The situation has prompted Afghanistan to diversify its trade partners, including expanding ties with India, Iran, and Central Asian nations.
According to Tolo News, Afghanistan has increased trade with Iran and Central Asian countries as part of efforts to reduce its reliance on Pakistan. The Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce said the country is increasingly using Iran’s Chabahar Port to bypass frequent disruptions at Pakistan’s borders and ease political pressures from Islamabad, shifting transit agreements to alternative routes. (ANI)
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