India’s FM meets visiting Afghan Minister of Commerce in New Delhi

India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, met on Thursday with Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, in New Delhi as part of Azizi’s multi-day visit aimed at boosting economic and transit cooperation between the two countries.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said the discussion focused on expanding trade, strengthening regional connectivity, and enhancing people-to-people ties between Kabul and New Delhi. He reiterated India’s continued support for the development and welfare of the Afghan people.

Azizi arrived in India at the official invitation of the Indian government, leading a high-level Afghan delegation on Wednesday.

During the visit, he is expected to hold meetings with senior Indian officials, including the ministers of external affairs and commerce, as well as business leaders and investors. The delegation will also visit the Pragati Maidan International Exhibition.

A key objective of the trip is to activate the untapped potential of the Chabahar Port corridor, attract greater Indian investment in Afghanistan, and advance discussions on joint industrial, transit, and trade initiatives.

Afghan officials say the visit reflects Kabul’s push to deepen economic engagement with regional partners amid efforts to expand trade routes and revive domestic industries.