New Delhi [India], November 25 (ANI): Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, visited India with a trade delegation from November 19 to 25, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
During the visit, Azizi met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, with both leaders discussing bilateral ties, regional connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.
Azizi also held delegation-level talks with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Their discussions covered a wide range of issues, including trade facilitation, market access, connectivity, and capacity-building. Both sides announced the launch of the Air Freight Corridor on the Kabul–Delhi and Kabul–Amritsar routes.
The Ministers welcomed the reactivation of the Joint Working Group on Trade, Commerce and Investment and agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in mining and other high-value sectors. India and Afghanistan will each depute Commercial Representatives to their respective embassies and will institutionalize a Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Azizi also met Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada, the MEA noted.
The Afghan delegation attended the India International Trade Fair (IITF 2025), where several Afghan traders had set up stalls. Azizi interacted with exhibitors and toured the cultural displays at the fair. The delegation also held meetings with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL), Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), Manmade and Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council (MATEXIL), PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), and the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL).
Discussions focused on establishing long-term supply arrangements for agricultural products, medicines, and other essential commodities for Afghanistan.
The visit underscored the commitment of both countries to deepening bilateral engagement and strengthening cooperation in trade, economic activity, and investment. The MEA added that India remains committed to working with Afghanistan to advance an economic partnership that delivers sustainable benefits to the people of both nations.
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