Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Al-Haj Nooruddin Azizi, has held wide-ranging discussions in New Delhi aimed at boosting trade, improving market access, and opening the door to joint industrial ventures.
During a meeting with members of the Spices Board of India, both sides examined how to strengthen cooperation in the spice sector and increase exports. The talks ranged from establishing production facilities in Afghanistan to improving quality standards and easing hurdles in the medicine trade.
According to a statement posted by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Indian side expressed strong interest in pursuing fresh partnerships. Officials signaled readiness to invest in Afghan spice manufacturing and help scale up exports to the country.
Azizi assured Indian representatives that Kabul would support credible pharmaceutical firms seeking to operate in Afghanistan. The ministry noted that the Spices Board includes around 57 globally certified factories — a model Afghanistan hopes to learn from.
As part of the engagement, both sides agreed to exchange sector-specific delegations. Afghan officials working in the spice industry will visit advanced processing facilities in India, while Indian experts are expected to travel to Kabul to explore opportunities in pharmaceutical production and export growth.
The meeting marked another key stop in Azizi’s five-day trip to India from November 19 to 23 — one of the Taliban government’s most significant visits to New Delhi since 2021.
Earlier in the week, Azizi met Minister of State for Commerce Jitin Prasada, who described their conversation as a shared push to enhance bilateral trade and economic ties. The Afghan minister also held talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who reiterated India’s support for the Afghan people and emphasized the importance of connectivity and people-to-people engagement.
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Azizi’s trip follows a visit by Taliban Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in October, signaling a gradual uptick in high-level contacts between the two sides.
Afghanistan’s commercial outreach comes at a delicate moment. Border tensions with Pakistan have repeatedly disrupted trade, prompting Kabul to diversify its economic links with India, Iran, and Central Asian nations. The Afghan government says it has increased reliance on Iran’s Chabahar Port to circumvent transit barriers at Pakistan’s crossings.
During his visit, Azizi also toured the India International Trade Fair 2025, where he met ITPO Managing Director Neeraj Kharwal and engaged with Afghan and Indian traders showcasing regional products.
With new trade channels opening and investment talks progressing, both New Delhi and Kabul appear to be testing a cautious but practical reset in economic relations — one driven as much by necessity as opportunity.