Kabul/New Delhi, May 1 (UNI) Afghanistan’s trade with India reached over $890 million last year, according to the Taliban-run-Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Abdul Salam Jawad, a Taliban spokesman for the ministry, said in a video message on X (formerly Twitter) that Afghanistan exported $627 million worth of goods to India while importing $263 million in products from the country.
This indicates the ongoing recovery in Afghanistan’s highly fragile economy, which has managed to stabilise itself somewhat.
The trade surplus for Afghanistan with India also marks a sustained and robust economic connection between the two countries despite significant challenges, including logistical problems, and geo-political struggles.
Jawad said Afghanistan’s main exports to India included dried figs, asafoetida and its seeds, saffron, raisins, cumin and almonds. Imports from India primarily consisted of sugar, raw industrial materials, automobile parts, cotton products and machinery, reported Amu TV.
The figures contrast with earlier reports by Indian media citing government officials who said the trade volume stood at about $500 million annually.
However, India-Afghan trade is likely to see some downfall following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir by Pakistan-backed-terrorists.
The closure of the Attari-Wagah border, which acted as the primary land route for trade between the two countries will now majorly disrupt all commercial flows, as India has no direct route for the landlocked Afghanistan.
India uses the Chabahar Port in Iran to export its goods via sea, and then by road to Afghanistan's western border points, thereby totally bypassing Pakistan.
Late last month, on April 27, the Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with top Indian official Anand Prakash in Kabul and called on New Delhi to resume issuing visas for Afghan traders, students, and patients, according to a statement by the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting with Prakash, who is Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran Division) in the MEA, Muttaqi emphasised the need to expand diplomatic and economic relations between the two sides, highlighting new opportunities for investment in Afghanistan.
He urged Indian investors to take advantage of emerging projects and encouraged both countries to facilitate travel by restoring normal visa issuance procedures, especially for businesspeople, patients, and students.
UNI ANV RN