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What happened
On November 20, 2025, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hosted Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, the Taliban's Industry and Commerce Minister, in New Delhi. This meeting aimed to enhance trade and connectivity between India and Afghanistan. Jaishankar emphasized India's support for the Afghan people and their welfare. Azizi's visit is significant as it follows the Taliban's call for Afghan traders to avoid trade with Pakistan. He leads a large Afghan trade delegation and is the first Taliban minister to visit the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation since the Taliban took control in 2021. The discussions included operationalizing the Afghanistan-India air freight corridor, which aims to connect major Indian cities with Afghan locations, despite concerns about potential disruptions from Pakistan.
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Key insights
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1
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The meeting highlights India's commitment to improving ties with Afghanistan.
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2
Trade Delegation's Significance
Azizi's delegation marks a notable engagement between India and the Taliban.
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3
Air Freight Corridor Plans
Plans to operationalize air freight corridors aim to enhance trade connectivity.
Takeaways
The meeting between Jaishankar and Azizi signifies a strategic move by India to engage with the Taliban and support Afghanistan's economic development, despite regional challenges.