New Delhi: Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a five-day official visit, marking the second high-level delegation from the Taliban government to India in less than two months. This follows the visit of Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in October, which represented the highest-level engagement between New Delhi and the Kabul administration since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.

During his visit, Azizi is scheduled to meet Indian officials to discuss enhancing bilateral trade and investment ties. He is also expected to attend the India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Pragati Maidan, highlighting Afghanistan’s interest in exploring economic and commercial opportunities with India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed the visiting minister, emphasizing the focus on advancing trade and investment relations between the two countries. “A warm welcome to Afghan Industry and Commerce Minister, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, on his official visit to India. Advancing bilateral trade and investment ties is the key focus of the visit,” the MEA said in a statement.

Azizi’s visit comes as part of India’s ongoing engagement with the Afghan side on matters of mutual economic interest. Last month, the Indian government restored the status of its Technical Mission in Kabul to that of an Embassy, a move that underscores New Delhi’s commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations across diplomatic and commercial spheres.

Observers note that the visits by high-ranking Afghan officials reflect a continued effort by the Taliban administration to seek international economic partnerships and investment, even as India maintains a cautious diplomatic engagement focused on development and humanitarian cooperation rather than formal recognition.

The five-day itinerary is expected to include discussions on trade facilitation, investment opportunities, and collaborative initiatives that can strengthen economic cooperation, particularly in sectors such as commerce, industry, and infrastructure development.

This visit follows a pattern of incremental engagement between India and Afghanistan, with a focus on pragmatic collaboration to support stability and development in the region. With Azizi’s presence at the IITF, India also signals its willingness to explore Afghanistan’s potential as a trading partner while keeping diplomatic engagement measured and cautious.

The ongoing interactions underscore the broader Indian strategy of balancing economic engagement with security and geopolitical considerations, as New Delhi continues to monitor developments in Kabul and the broader region.