In a significant move to bolster regional economic cooperation, Afghanistan’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, has proposed the expansion of trade and investment ties with India. During his recent visit to New Delhi, the minister emphasized the historic and strategic importance of the bilateral relationship, highlighting opportunities for mutual growth amid ongoing geopolitical changes in South Asia.

The minister outlined comprehensive plans to increase bilateral trade beyond the current level of around USD 1 billion by diversifying trade routes and enhancing connectivity. Key initiatives include subsidizing Ariana Afghan Airlines to strengthen the India-Afghanistan Air Corridor, exploring sea routes via Iran’s Chabahar port, and developing land corridors through Central Asia. These efforts aim to reduce Afghanistan’s historic dependence on trade routes through Pakistan, which have faced disruptions.

Furthermore, Azizi invited Indian companies to invest in Afghanistan’s mining, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and textile sectors, assuring a business-friendly environment with incentives like tariff reductions and tax exemptions for new industries. The Afghan government also expressed intent to create a joint chamber of commerce with India, plan annual trade fairs, and ease import and export formalities to facilitate smoother trade flows.

This outreach reflects a broader geopolitical realignment in the region, with India seeking to strengthen its influence in Afghanistan as part of regional stability efforts. The renewed focus on trade and economic partnership is expected to not only deepen bilateral ties but also contribute to Afghanistan’s economic recovery and development.