Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, the Minister of Industry and Commerce for the Taliban administration, commenced a five-day visit to India on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Accompanied by a substantial business delegation, the visit's primary objectives include strengthening bilateral trade and investment and seeking alternative commercial routes for Afghanistan, specifically aiming to bypass Pakistani ports for its trade requirements. This diplomatic engagement unfolds against a backdrop of heightened hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which intensified following recent military actions and the breakdown of Turkey-brobrokered peace talks. In response, the Afghan administration has instructed its traders to discontinue utilizing Pakistani commercial networks. During the initial days of his visit, Minister Azizi attended the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, where he met with the Managing Director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation to discuss prospects for greater Afghan participation in future Indian trade events, and observed stalls showcasing Afghan agricultural products.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/talibans-trade-minister-in-delhi-amidst-afghanistan-pakistan-clashes-to-enhance-sea-connectivity/article70300229.ece