Overview
- Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi arrived in New Delhi for a five‑day official program focused on expanding bilateral trade and investment ties.
- He visited the India International Trade Fair in Delhi and met ITPO managing director Neeraj Kharwal, holding discussions with Afghan traders on market access.
- India’s foreign ministry welcomed the delegation, following last month’s upgrade of New Delhi’s technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy after the Afghan foreign minister’s visit.
- Ariana Afghan Airlines introduced India‑only cargo discounts on the Delhi–Kabul route, cutting rates to $0.80/kg from Delhi to Kabul and $1/kg in the reverse direction with immediate effect.
- With Pakistan border crossings closed after recent clashes and strikes, Afghanistan is routing more trade via Iran’s Chabahar port and seeking direct air freight links with India while courting Indian investment in mining and hydropower and exploring fixes to disrupted payment channels.