Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 23: Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Al-Haj Nooruddin Azizi, held discussions with the Spices Board of India during his five-day visit to New Delhi, focusing on expanding spice cooperation, boosting exports, and exploring joint investment opportunities.

The Afghan ministry said India expressed interest in setting up spice production factories in Afghanistan and enhancing collaboration in medicine imports, spice quality, and bilateral trade. Both sides agreed to exchange sectoral delegations, with Afghan officials visiting Indian spice factories and Indian representatives exploring pharmaceutical production opportunities in Kabul. The Indian council includes around 57 standardised factories.

Azizi’s visit follows high-level meetings with Union Minister Jitin Prasada and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to strengthen trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties. The minister also led a delegation to the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, promoting Afghan products and exploring market expansion.

The visit comes amid tensions with Pakistan that have disrupted trade, prompting Afghanistan to diversify exports through India, Iran, and Central Asia, including via the Chabahar Port in Iran, the ministry noted. This marks one of the highest-level engagements from the Taliban government to India since their 2021 takeover.