Experts at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Amritsar Zonal Council meeting highlighted the potential of air exports of farm produce to strengthen Indo-Afghan trade and support regional economic growth.

The session focused on Sri Guru Ram Dass International Airport, which last year handled just 972 metric tonnes of exports and 236 tonnes of imports, far below its capacity. Stakeholders noted delays caused by limited aircraft, short customs hours, and holidays.

Former Indian ambassador Navdeep Suri praised the session as the “finest granular interaction on trade” he had seen among Indian business chambers and proposed an Amritsar-Kabul-Dubai trade axis with frequent wide-bodied flights.

RahatCargo MD Sunil Kohli agreed to underwrite 1,500-1,800 tonnes of weekly cargo, provided swift clearances and suitable flights.

CII leaders emphasized that expanding perishable exports, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and value-added goods could become a major economic boost for the region, but required better coordination between airlines, customs, and airport authorities.

In November last year, an Indian foreign ministry official announced that air cargo services between India and Afghanistan will be launched soon.

Junaid Altaf, President of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), has warned that the prolonged closure of Afghanistan ports is inflicting massive financial losses on traders and severely disrupting bilateral and transit trade.

Speaking during an executive committee meeting of the SCCI, chaired by him, Junaid Altaf said more than 12,000 containers linked to Pak-Afghan and transit trade are currently stranded at Karachi Port, forcing traders to bear heavy demurrage and detention charges. He added that the situation has exhausted the liquidity of clearing agents and bonded carriers, while foreign shipping lines continue to accumulate charges.

The meeting was attended by senior office-bearers, executive committee members, traders, industrialists, importers and exporters, who discussed in detail the continued closure of the crossings. Participants unanimously expressed concern over the adverse impact of the shutdown on trade and employment.

Traders noted that the prolonged closure has disrupted perishable exports, increased unemployment and caused serious socio-economic hardship for communities near the Durand Line that depend heavily on trade. According to stakeholders, millions of dollars are being lost daily due to container detention, while billions of rupees remain blocked in bank guarantees and container security deposits.

The forum emphasized that the issue should be resolved through dialogue, urging authorities on both sides to resume bilateral and transit trade to prevent further economic damage. While acknowledging the gravity of internal and external security challenges, the executive committee maintained that there would be no compromise on national security and peace.

However, the SCCI stressed that reopening trade routes is crucial for economic stability, growth and the continuity of business, commercial and industrial activities. The forum called on relevant authorities to address the matter on a priority basis and find a sustainable solution through negotiations.

Trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan remains suspended since clashes between the two countries on October 11 last year.

Afghanistan’s total trade volume reached nearly $14 billion in 2025, marking an increase from the previous year despite ongoing challenges, including the temporary closure of key trade routes, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.

According to ministry figures, total trade in 2025 stood at $13.932 billion, made up of $1.807 billion in exports and $12.125 billion in imports. Officials said trade activity not only remained resilient but also expanded compared with 2024.

The ministry reported that Afghanistan’s main export destinations included India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkey, China, Iraq, and Tajikistan. Key export products ranged from agricultural and dried goods—such as figs, raisins, saffron, pistachios, almonds, dried apricots, apples, grapes, and pomegranates—to coal, cotton, carpets and kilims, mineral stones, and black pine nuts.

On the import side, Afghanistan’s primary trading partners in 2025 were Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, China, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and India, the ministry said. Major imports included fuel, flour and wheat, machinery and vehicle parts, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, vegetable oils, cement, rice, sugar, dairy products, industrial raw materials, and clothing.

For comparison, the ministry noted that Afghanistan’s total trade volume in 2024 was $12.422 billion, with $1.803 billion in exports and $10.619 billion in imports.

Officials said the increase in trade volume reflects relative stability in commercial activity and continued efforts to maintain and expand Afghanistan’s economic ties with regional and international partners.