India will resume air cargo services with Afghanistan, marking a significant development in renewed engagement between the two nations. The announcement came Friday during Taliban Trade Minister Al-Haj Nooruddin Azizi’s visit to New Delhi.
Air Freight Corridor Reactivation
Anand Prakash, a Ministry of External Affairs official, confirmed the air freight corridor on Kabul-Delhi and Kabul-Amritsar routes has been reactivated. “I am pleased to announce that the air freight corridor on the Kabul-Delhi sector and Kabul-Amritsar routes have been activated and cargo flights on these sectors will come very soon,” he stated.
The move signals revival of direct trade connectivity that had stalled in recent years. The corridor reactivation is expected to facilitate smoother goods movement between countries and boost commercial ties.
High-Level Diplomatic Meeting
The announcement followed Taliban Minister Azizi’s meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in the national capital during his five-day official visit. Both leaders discussed strengthening bilateral trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.
Jaishankar posted on X that the ministers explored ways to enhance economic cooperation and facilitate development initiatives, while reiterating “India’s continued support for the welfare and development of the Afghan people.”
Diplomatic Significance
The Afghan Minister arrived in India Wednesday for his official visit, with the Ministry of External Affairs extending a warm welcome. The visit aims at bolstering bilateral trade and investment ties between the nations.
This represents one of the highest-level visits from the Taliban government to India since their Kabul takeover in August 2021.
Recent Engagement Timeline
Afghanistan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi previously concluded a six-day India visit in October 2025, marking the highest-level engagement between New Delhi and the Taliban regime since the 2021 takeover.
Strategic Implications
The air cargo corridor reactivation demonstrates India’s pragmatic approach to maintaining economic and humanitarian channels with Afghanistan despite the Taliban’s controversial governance.
The move allows India to continue supporting Afghan development and trade while navigating complex geopolitical considerations.
Trade Facilitation
The Kabul-Delhi and Kabul-Amritsar air freight routes will enable direct commercial transportation, reducing logistics costs and transit times for bilateral trade.
This connectivity is particularly significant for Afghan agricultural exports and Indian manufactured goods, potentially benefiting both economies while maintaining people-to-people connections.
