New Delhi/Kabul: India will soon start regular air cargo flights connecting Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar with Kabul and Kandahar, a senior Ministry of External Affairs official confirmed on Friday, marking a major step to deepen economic engagement with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
The decision follows intensive talks with visiting Afghan Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Haji Nooruddin Azizi, who led a 45-member business delegation to New Delhi this week. Azizi pressed India to accelerate trade and establish dedicated cargo hubs inside Afghanistan, highlighting urgent needs for wheat, rice, life-saving medicines, and industrial raw materials after repeated border closures with Pakistan caused severe shortages.
With land routes through Pakistan disrupted by recent military skirmishes, Afghanistan has suffered multimillion-dollar losses in perishable exports and critical imports. The new air corridor will initially operate several weekly freighters, with plans to scale up based on demand. Indian officials described the initiative as “humanitarian and commercial,” emphasizing that engagement remains technical and does not imply political recognition of the Taliban regime.
Azizi also renewed requests for smoother customs clearance at Indian ports and faster business visas. Both sides explored joint investments in Afghan mining, agriculture processing, and pharmaceutical sectors. Trade volume, already close to $1 billion annually despite challenges, is projected to grow significantly once air and alternative sea routes via Chabahar Port in Iran are fully operational.