New Delhi, India – India and Afghanistan are set to launch air cargo services in the near future, aimed at boosting trade and easing the transport of essential goods between the two countries. The announcement was made during a visit to New Delhi by Afghanistan’s Taliban Trade Minister Nooruddin Azizi, who emphasized the need to expand trade and establish cargo hubs amid border closures with Pakistan.

The initiative comes as Kabul seeks access to grains, medicines, and industrial goods following recent disruptions in overland trade due to military clashes with Pakistan.

Air Freight Corridors Ready

Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary at the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that air freight corridors connecting Delhi and Amritsar with Kabul have been “activated,” with cargo flights expected to commence very soon. He noted that all formalities on the Indian side are complete and that the flights will begin once Afghan authorities finalize their paperwork.

Currently, Indian airlines do not operate passenger flights to Afghanistan due to Pakistan closing its airspace amid heightened tensions with New Delhi. Afghan carriers, however, continue regular passenger operations between Kabul and Indian cities.

Strategic Recalibration Amid Regional Tensions

Historically, India and Afghanistan have maintained friendly bilateral ties, though India does not formally recognize the Taliban government, which came to power after the U.S.-led NATO withdrawal in 2021. Experts say the renewed engagement is partly driven by deteriorating relations with Pakistan and India’s concerns over Chinese influence in Afghanistan.

Recent diplomatic exchanges have included visits by Taliban leaders to India, such as Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi last month—the first by a senior Taliban official since 2021. India has also reopened its embassy in Kabul, which had been shut following the Taliban takeover.

The launch of air cargo services is expected to facilitate trade, support humanitarian needs, and strengthen economic ties between India and Afghanistan, providing a vital lifeline for Kabul while bypassing the contested overland routes through Pakistan.