External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met Afghanistan’s Industry and Commerce Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi in New Delhi during the latter’s five-day official visit to India.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both ministers discussed bilateral trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. The talks also covered avenues for expanding economic cooperation and supporting development initiatives.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said he reiterated India’s continued support for the welfare and development of the Afghan people. “Pleased to meet Industry and Commerce Minister of Afghanistan, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi in New Delhi this evening. Discussed ways to strengthen our trade, connectivity and people to people ties. Reiterated India’s support for the development and welfare of the people of Afghanistan,” he wrote.
Azizi arrived in India on Wednesday. The MEA said the visit is focused on enhancing bilateral trade and investment engagement.
This is among the highest-level visits from the Taliban administration to India since August 2021. Earlier in October 2025, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi concluded a six-day visit to India.
As part of his engagements in New Delhi, Azizi led a delegation to the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 and held a meeting with Neeraj Kharwal, Managing Director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), on opportunities for Afghanistan to participate in upcoming exhibitions. He also interacted with Afghan traders showcasing local products.
The visit comes amid tensions between the Taliban administration and Pakistan following recent border clashes that affected trade routes. Afghanistan has stepped up engagement with India, Iran and Central Asian countries to diversify markets. The country is using Iran’s Chabahar Port to mitigate disruptions at Pakistan’s borders, according to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
—ANI