Afghan Commerce Minister Azizi leads business delegation to India

Afghan Industry and Commerce Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi receives a warm welcome on his arrival for the official visit to India

Afghanistan’s Commerce and Industry Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi is in India heading a delegation of government officials and business representatives to foster trade and investment ties even as the country’s relations with neighbouring Pakistan have worsened.

“The delegates are looking to explore avenues with their Indian counterparts for further strengthening bilateral trade and economic co-operation in the focus sectors… dry fruits, gems and jewellery, infrastructure, logistics, shipping, mining, FMCG, healthcare, tea, coffee, textiles and education,” according to industry body PHDCCI.

Technical mission

Last month, India reopened its embassy in Afghanistan by restoring the status of the technical mission of India in Kabul to that of a full-fledged embassy underscoring its resolve to “deepen” its bilateral engagement with the country.

Azizi’s delegation includes senior officials from economic ministries and representatives of trading companies.

This is the second high-level visit from the Taliban government since last month. In October,  Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited the country and met his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar.

Jaishankar announced that India was now ready to commit to six new projects, in addition to repair and maintenance of the older ones, and gift 20 ambulances to the country as a gesture of goodwill.

Afghanistan’s border clashes with Pakistan have escalated with many of its land routes now blocked. This has hit the country’s exports and economy.

PHDCCI has organised an interactive session with the Afghan Minister and his business delegation on Thursday which is to be also attended by Ministry of External Affairs officials.

Published on November 19, 2025