India and Afghanistan have launched a new phase of their dedicated Air Freight Corridor, to increase market access for Afghan goods, support Indian exports, and create more stable trade pathways between the two countries.
It will be especially useful for transporting perishable goods such as fresh and dried fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
The initiative was confirmed following talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi.
Trade, Mining Cooperation
The Afghan side encouraged Indian businesses to explore investment opportunities in the mining sector. Discussions included the development of infrastructure projects and improving supply chains across both countries.
A joint statement said the two sides agreed to explore cooperation in hydroelectric projects. The Salma Dam in Herat build by India, was cited as a key example of how Delhi could help meet Afghanistan’s energy and irrigation needs.
They also discussed water resource management and expanding electricity access for Afghan communities.
Healthcare Projects
The joint statement mentioned the ongoing healthcare support from India which includes:
- A new 30-bed hospital in Kabul’s Bagrami district.
- An Oncology Centre and Trauma Centre in the capital.
- Five maternity health clinics in the provinces of Paktika, Khost, and Paktia.
- Replacement of heating systems at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul.
India will also gift 20 ambulances to Afghanistan. A symbolic handover was done by Jaishankar during the meeting earlier in the day today.
So far, around 75 prosthetic limbs have been provided to Afghan citizens under Indian-supported initiatives.
Educational Support
India continues to offer scholarships to Afghan students under the e-ICCR programme, with more academic options being planned under existing scholarship frameworks. Educational cooperation remains a key area of engagement.
Humanitarian Assistance
India’s humanitarian aid to Afghanistan covers food supplies, disaster relief materials, school stationery, and pesticides. The Indian side confirmed its continued commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s urgent needs, including for communities affected by forced displacement.
The Afghan side welcomed India’s continued humanitarian outreach and noted its impact across various sectors.
Connectivity Efforts
The original Air Freight Corridor was launched in 2017, with the first cargo flight arriving in Delhi from Kabul in June of that year. This initiative followed discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in 2016.
India has supported alteralso allowed Afghan trucks to use the Attari land border crossing and supporting development at Chabahar Port in Iran, alongside trilateral cooperation with Tehran.These efforts aim to improve regional access for Afghan exports and create new trade channels through South Asia.
- India’s key exports to Afghanistan include pharmaceuticals, textiles, cereals, dairy, poultry, and spices.
- Afghanistan’s major exports to India are fresh and dried fruits, nuts, raisins, vegetables, oil seeds, and semi-precious stones.
