A high-level Afghan delegation led by Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, began a five-day official visit to India on Wednesday with the aim of strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties. Shortly after arriving in New Delhi, the delegation visited the India International Trade Fair (IITF). Minister Azizi then met Afghan traders based in India to discuss market access and expansion opportunities. Officials said this is the first visit by an Afghan minister to the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) since 2021. The visit comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, including repeated border closures that have disrupted Afghan exports and prompted Kabul to diversify trade channels, especially with India. Afghanistan is seeking Indian investment in sectors such as mining and hydroelectric power, and is exploring ways to bypass Pakistan for improved connectivity. In this context, the Iranian port of Chabahar—providing sea–land access between India and Afghanistan without reliance on Pakistan—remains crucial. India’s key exports to Afghanistan include pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery and food items such as sugar, tea and rice. Afghan imports to India primarily consist of agricultural products and minerals. India recently upgraded its three-year-old “technical mission” in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy. ITPO Managing Director Neeraj Kharwal received Minister Azizi at the IITF venue and briefed him on the fair, available facilities and future participation opportunities. The delegation also visited Afghan stalls showcasing local products. Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghan Foreign Minister and senior Taliban leader Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi discussed the regional situation by phone, days after a deadly border clash between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Muttaqi also visited New Delhi last month, reflecting India’s gradual move toward fuller diplomatic engagement with the Taliban regime. Relations between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban have deteriorated following repeated attacks on Pakistani security forces by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Criticising Pakistan and voicing support for Kabul, New Delhi recently stated: “Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories… India remains fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan.” India has also said Pakistan hosts terrorists and “blames its neighbours for its own internal failures”. At a recent press conference in New Delhi, Muttaqi claimed India had agreed to allow Afghanistan to deploy diplomats at its embassy. He said postings would begin soon and be expanded in phases. The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 after the withdrawal of US forces, leading to the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government. India evacuated its diplomats and personnel working on infrastructure projects. A “technical team” was re-established at the embassy in June 2022 as engagement with the Taliban gradually improved.