New Delhi, Nov 19 (UNI) Afghanistan Industry and Commerce Minister, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, is on an official visit in India to discuss the advancing bilateral ties. The Afghan minister will be on a five-day official visit to India.
Taking it to social media platform X, official spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal welcomed the Afghan leader saying, “A warm welcome to Afghan Industry and Commerce Minister, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, on his official visit to India. Advancing bilateral trade and investment ties is the key focus of the visit.”
As per the reports, Azizi is scheduled to meet with Indian officials, especially those related to trade and commerce.
As per the Afghan officials, both the leaders are likely to discuss issues related to expanding bilateral trade volumes, particularly agricultural exports to India; increasing Indian exports of pharmaceuticals, machinery and textiles; establishing more reliable transport corridors through air cargo routes and Iran’s Chabahar port; restoring payment channels disrupted since Afghan banks lost access to SWIFT; and, reviving the earlier India–Afghanistan Air Freight Corridor.
Last month, Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar met Afghanistan Foreign Affairs Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi.
After the meeting, Jaishankar said, “This visit marks an important step in advancing our ties and affirming the enduring India-Afghanistan friendship. Discussed India’s support for Afghanistan’s development, our bilateral trade, territorial integrity & independence, people-to-people ties and capacity building. India will upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India.”
In the first 11 months of FY 2024–25, Afghanistan exported 296,000 tonnes of agricultural goods worth USD 143 million, much of it destined for India.
Dried fruits alone represent over $518 million, while fresh fruits contribute another USD640 million.
