NEW DELHI: Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, arrived in New Delhi today, commencing a five-day official visit aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties between India and Afghanistan.
The visit was officially welcomed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on social media, confirming that the visit’s key focus is on “advancing bilateral trade and investment ties.”
The official visit by Azizi marks one of the highest-level engagements between New Delhi and the current administration in Kabul since August 2021. It follows a significant visit by Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister in October, after which India restored the status of its Technical Mission in Kabul to that of an Embassy.
The Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that a primary objective of the delegation’s trip is to “activate and effectively utilise the capacities of India-developed Chabahar Port” in Iran. This strategic alternative trade route, which bypasses Pakistan, has become increasingly important amidst recent border tensions that have disrupted traditional transit routes.
The visit is being viewed as a crucial step towards strengthening economic and commercial relations, particularly as Kabul seeks to expand its trade networks and attract more Indian investment, especially in areas like minerals and energy.
