India and Afghanistan Boost Trade, Revitalize Joint Working Group

NEW DELHI: Afghan Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, concluded his week-long visit to India today, signaling a push to revitalize commercial and bilateral ties between the two nations.

According to reports, During his visit, Minister Azizi met with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, where they discussed strengthening bilateral relations, connectivity initiatives, and people-to-people exchanges.

The cornerstone of the visit was the delegation-level talks with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The ministers covered a broad range of issues, including trade facilitation, market access, and capacity-building. A major outcome was the announcement of the initiation of an Air Freight Corridor on the Kabul-Delhi and Kabul-Amritsar sectors to boost trade.

Both ministers welcomed the reactivation of the Joint Working Group on Trade, Commerce and Investment and committed to exploring collaboration in mining and other high-value sectors. Further institutionalizing the relationship, India and Afghanistan will depute Commercial Representatives at their respective Embassies and establish a Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Minister Azizi’s delegation also held meetings with key Indian trade bodies like APEDA, TEXPROCIL, and ASSOCHAM, discussing long-term supply modalities for essential commodities, including agricultural products and medicines, to Afghanistan. He also visited the India International Trade Fair, interacting with Afghan traders and other exhibitors.