Nooruddin Azizi, the Taliban’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, has met with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss ways to strengthen trade and connectivity between the two sides.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said: “Discussed ways to strengthen our trade, connectivity and people to people ties. Reiterated India’s support for the development and welfare of the people of Afghanistan.”
According to a statement from the Taliban Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the meeting covered issues including further activation of the Chabahar port, the introduction of commercial attaches for both countries, and facilitating visa issuance for Afghanistan’s private sector.
The ministry said the two sides also agreed on reactivating a previously established joint working group, creating a joint chamber of commerce, and resolving challenges related to the Chabahar port.
The discussion comes as the Taliban seek alternative trade partners amid deteriorating commercial ties with Pakistan. The group has given Afghan traders three months to settle their accounts in Pakistan and shift their business activities to other countries.
