Archive · 19 Jul 2026
Afghanistan Seeks Stronger Trade Ties with India
Afghanistan and India had a meeting to talk about doing more business together.
Afghanistan wants it to be easier to trade and get business visas.
They discussed how to sell more Afghan things like food, crafts, and minerals to India.
India said they would help and they might have trade shows and send business teams to each other's countries.
India has already built a road in Afghanistan to help with trade.
Afghanistan used to trade a lot with Pakistan, but now they trade less with Pakistan and more with other countries like Iran.
Afghanistan's top trading body, ACCI, called for expanding trade and investment ties with India.
The meeting between ACCI Chairman Sayed Karim Hashemi and Indian Ambassador Yatin Patel focused on easing business procedures and facilitating business visas.
Afghanistan's transit trade with Pakistan declined sharply to $367 million in FY26 from $5 billion in FY21.
India-Afghanistan bilateral trade stood at $907.85 million in 2025-26, with plans to organize joint trade exhibitions and business forums.
India has built the 218-km Zaranj-Delaram highway in Afghanistan to facilitate trade and humanitarian supplies.
- Who
- Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) Chairman Sayed Karim Hashemi and Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Yatin Patel
- What
- Discussion on expanding trade and investment ties between Afghanistan and India
- When
- Meeting held on July 19, 2026
- Where
- Kabul, Afghanistan
- Why
- To ease business procedures, remove administrative barriers, and facilitate the issuance of business visas
- Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) Chairman
- Sayed Karim Hashemi
- Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan
- Yatin Patel
- Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade (FY26)
- $367 million
- Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade (FY21)
- $5 billion
- India-Afghanistan Bilateral Trade (2025-26)
- $907.85 million
- Zaranj-Delaram Highway Length
- 218 km
- Afghan Agriculture Minister
- Mawlawi Ataullah Omari
