Archive · 13 Jan 2026
India-Afghanistan trade thrives amid regional tensions
Afghanistan and Pakistan are having border troubles, which have closed important trade routes.
This has created a big chance for India to sell more medicines to Afghanistan.
India is trying to help Afghanistan by setting up labs and improving their medicine-making places.
They are also building hospitals and clinics there.
India wants to be a good friend to Afghanistan by providing important medicines and healthcare help.
This is a good opportunity for India to make money and help people in Afghanistan.
The government has also clarified that trade between India and Afghanistan is ongoing and has not been suspended despite false claims circulating on social media.
Afghanistan-Pakistan border tensions have closed vital trade routes, creating a $200 million pharmaceutical opportunity for India.
India is expanding its pharmaceutical footprint in Afghanistan and providing technical support to set up laboratories and upgrade manufacturing facilities.
Afghanistan's dependence on Pakistan for trade routes has led it to seek alternatives through India.
India's pharmaceutical exports to Afghanistan increased by 20% in the fiscal year 2024-25, totaling $108 million.
India has implemented several healthcare infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, including hospitals and clinics, and is considering additional support.
- Who
- India and Afghanistan
- What
- Expansion of pharmaceutical trade and healthcare infrastructure projects
- When
- Ongoing, with high-level discussions in December 2025 and recent visits by Afghan officials
- Where
- Afghanistan and India
- Why
- Due to border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan leading to the shutdown of vital transit routes
- Pharmaceutical exports from India to Afghanistan
- $108 million (2025)
- Potential opportunity for Indian generics
- $200 million
- Indian pharmaceutical exports (FY 2024-25)
- $30.46 billion
- Afghanistan's share of Indian pharmaceutical exports (2025)
- 0.39%
- Afghan patients in India for medical treatment (2024)
- 48,000
- Zydus Lifesciences MoU with Afghan NPA
- $100 million
- India's total exports to Afghanistan (FY 2024-25)
- $318.91 million
- India's total imports from Afghanistan (FY 2024-25)
- $689.81 million