Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghan Taliban leaders of harbouring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. However, the Taliban has denied these claims.
While tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached a boiling point in recent months, triggering fears of a Pakistan-Taliban war, Kabul’s ties with India have been transformed.
Afghanistan has stated that it has a surplus trade balance with India, with Kabul exporting more goods to New Delhi, which has bolstered Afghanistan’s forex reserves.
“In the first 10 months of this financial year, trade between Afghanistan and India reached $ 763 million, of which Afghanistan’s exports are $ 541 million and imports from India are $ 222 million,” an Afghan official said. India imported dried figs, asafetida, saffron, raisins, cumin and almonds from Afghanistan. New Delhi is now Kabul’s largest trading partner after Pakistan and Iran.The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) has named India the preferred marketplace for Afghan products, and advised the Taliban regime to make efforts to increase trade activity with New Delhi.In a report, the ACCI has urged Kabul to work on a deal with New Delhi to ensure that Afghan businessmen can acquire an Indian visa without any hassle. “Our trade relations with India are strong, and there is immense potential for further expanding trade between the two countries in the near future,” said ACCI member Khan Jan Alokozay.
Afghan businessmen have urged the Taliban government to form a commission to resolve trade-related challenges and promote more trade with India.
