KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Afghanistan’s trade with India reached $890 million in the past solar year, the Taliban Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced Tuesday.
According to ministry spokesperson Abdul Salam Jawad, exports made up $627 million of the total, while imports stood at $263 million.
Key Afghanistan’s exports to India included dried fruits such as almonds, raisins, and figs, as well as asafetida, saffron, and dried apricots. Imports from India mainly consisted of sugar, raw materials for factories, cotton fabrics, vehicle parts, and machinery.
India closed its embassy and consulates in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. However, relations have warmed recently, with both sides increasing political and trade engagement.
In recent months, Indian diplomats have held several meetings with Taliban senior authorities in Kabul and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), discussing ways to strengthen ties, expand trade, and provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
However, trade flows have been disrupted by the recent closure of the Attari-Wagah border crossing—India’s shortest and most cost-effective route to Afghanistan—after a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Indian media reported that around 100 trucks carrying Afghan dry fruits are stranded near the border. Prices of dry fruits in Indian markets are expected to rise by 10 to 20% due to the disruption.
Afghan traders have warned that the prolonged closure could severely impact them, as the fresh fruit season approaches. Alternative routes, like the Chabahar port, face their own infrastructure and logistical challenges, making them an ineffective option.
