India, Afghanistan to Operationalise New Air Freight Corridor Linking Kabul with Delhi and Amritsar

By Admin

26 Nov, 2025

India and Afghanistan have taken a significant step toward strengthening economic cooperation with the decision to operationalise a new Air Freight Corridor linking Kabul with Delhi and Amritsar. The announcement was made on Tuesday after week-long discussions in New Delhi with Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, marking a major boost for bilateral trade and market access.

Boost to Bilateral Trade and Connectivity
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the newly established air corridor will “significantly facilitate” the movement of goods between the two countries. This development is expected to enhance the efficiency of Afghan producers in reaching Indian markets while deepening commercial ties. Officials described this initiative as one of the most substantial outcomes of Azizi’s visit, which centred on revitalising trade routes and reinforcing economic engagement.

High-Level Meetings Strengthen Cooperation
During his visit, Azizi held extensive discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The two leaders reviewed the current state of bilateral relations, regional connectivity initiatives, and people-to-people exchanges. In a separate meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, both nations finalised the operational plan for the air corridor and agreed to reactivate the Joint Working Group on Trade, Commerce and Investment an important mechanism to drive sustained economic collaboration.

Institutional Framework for Trade Expansion
To institutionalise and streamline commercial interactions, India and Afghanistan have agreed to appoint Commercial Representatives at their respective embassies. Additionally, the establishment of a Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry is set to create a dedicated platform for business dialogue and collaborative opportunities. Talks also covered the possibility of cooperation in high-value sectors such as mining, reflecting the shared interest in diversifying economic engagement.

Engagement at India International Trade Fair
Azizi also met Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada and led a high-level delegation to the India International Trade Fair (IITF-2025). Afghan exhibitors actively participated in interactions with leading Indian trade bodies including APEDA, TEXPROCIL, Cotton Corporation of India, AEPC, MATEXIL, PHDCCI, ASSOCHAM and PHARMEXCIL. These discussions focused on long-term supply arrangements for agricultural products, medicines and essential commodities sectors that hold strong potential for mutual benefit.

A Shared Commitment to Economic Progress
Officials underscored that the visit demonstrated the commitment of both countries to reinforce economic ties despite regional challenges. The MEA emphasised that India remains steadfast in its vision to work closely with Afghanistan to build a partnership that brings sustainable benefits to the people of both nations.

With the new air corridor set to open, India and Afghanistan are poised to usher in a new phase of enhanced connectivity, trade expansion and economic resilience signalling a promising future for bilateral cooperation.