Indian authorities at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva Port have detained 46 containers after finding that walnuts imported from China were falsely declared as Afghan produce, The Hindu Business Line reported.

The ship, which reportedly departed Bandar Abbas Port, has been held for more than two weeks. A circular from the Customs Intelligence Unit says one person has been arrested, with tax-evasion losses estimated at 50 crore rupees (approx. $5.4 million). No importer has yet claimed the shipments.

Indian trade sources say misdeclaring walnuts from United States and Chile as Afghan goods is a long-running practice to exploit SAFTA’s zero-duty benefit, as India imposes 100% duty on walnut imports to protect growers in Jammu and Kashmir.

Officials say traders forged transit documents in India’s E-Sanchit/ICES system to fabricate an Afghan route, while the packaging still carried Chinese markings.

The meeting was also attended by Georgette Gagnon, the Acting Head of UNAMA and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Political), along with her accompanying delegation. Both sides discussed ongoing cooperation and coordination between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and UN agencies, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry on Friday.

Minister Muttaqi praised Indrika’s role as the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan and wished him success in his future assignments.

Indrika, in return, thanked the Foreign Ministry for its cooperation throughout his tenure and described his mission in Afghanistan as filled with valuable experiences and positive memories.

Nooruddin Azizi, Afghanistan’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with Ankush Satana and his delegation at his office to discuss expanding economic and technological cooperation.

During the meeting, Satana expressed interest in establishing a gemstone exhibition salon in Afghanistan and connecting Afghan and Indian traders in the pharmaceutical sector.

He also highlighted Germany’s advanced technology capable of producing large quantities of diesel fuel from collected plastic waste and expressed willingness to transfer this technology to Afghanistan.

Azizi welcomed the proposals, emphasizing Afghanistan’s abundant investment opportunities and reaffirming full support.

He noted that the country’s private sector is active and prepared to collaborate with foreign investors.

This meeting represents a significant step toward strengthening economic partnerships and fostering technology transfer, further boosting Afghanistan’s position as a hub for investment and trade in the region.