New Delhi — Afghanistan’s Taliban government has launched a fresh diplomatic outreach to India, with its trade minister arriving in New Delhi on Wednesday in a bid to attract investment and secure vital goods, amid growing tensions with neighbouring Pakistan.
The visit by Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, the first by a senior Taliban minister since the group seized power in 2021 — comes weeks after India quietly reopened its Kabul embassy, signalling a gradual but notable reset in relations with the Islamist regime, which remains unrecognised internationally.
India, competing with China for influence in the region, has stepped up humanitarian assistance and infrastructure support to Afghanistan in recent months. New Delhi had evacuated its mission in 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led Nato forces and the Taliban’s return to power.
Afghanistan’s commerce ministry said Azizi will hold talks with India’s foreign and commerce ministers, as well as business leaders and investors. Discussions are expected to focus on expanding trade, enabling joint ventures, and positioning Afghanistan as a key transit hub.
“Advancing bilateral trade and investment ties are the key focus,” India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X, sharing a photograph of Azizi’s arrival.
Pakistan tensions reshape Kabul’s trade routes
The diplomatic outreach comes at a moment of heightened friction between Kabul and Islamabad. In recent weeks, the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has been intermittently closed following armed clashes linked to cross-border militancy — disruptions that have left Afghanistan seeking alternative supply routes.
The Taliban government says Afghan imports of grains, medicines and industrial goods have been hit by the shutdown. As a result, trade through Iran has surged, reaching an estimated $1.6bn over the past six months — surpassing the $1.1bn exchanged with Pakistan over the same period, according to figures shared with Reuters.
India, which has long viewed Afghanistan as a strategic counterweight to Pakistan, is seen in Kabul as a potential replacement partner for essential goods and investments.
A cautious revival of ties
While India has not formally recognised the Taliban regime, its decision to restore a diplomatic presence in Kabul reflects a pragmatic shift — driven by security concerns, economic interests and China’s deepening involvement in the region.
For the Taliban, the India relationship offers both political validation and economic lifelines as the group struggles to govern an isolated, aid-dependent economy under international sanctions and with limited global recognition.
Whether the visit leads to substantial investment remains unclear, but both sides appear eager to explore a thaw that could reshape regional alignments.
