New Delhi: India and Afghanistan are set to appoint commercial attaches within the next month, Taliban’s acting Commerce and Industry Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi said Monday.
Speaking at a press conference at the Embassy of Afghanistan here, Azizi added that Kabul is seeking ways to reduce tariffs and freight costs on Indian exports to boost trade.
“The commercial attachés will be appointed both here in New Delhi and in Kabul within the next one month… We are focusing on reducing the air-cargo rates for Indian businesses exporting to Afghanistan,” Azizi said.
The acting minister added: “Security wise, Afghanistan is the most secure country. Companies from India have come for our exhibitions. Companies from Turkey have been operating in Afghanistan. They are happy with us.”
Azizi is the second senior official from the Taliban regime to visit India in as many months. Last month, the acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi visited India for a five-day visit, marking the highest interaction between India and the Taliban since the latter took control over Kabul in August 2021.
Azizi’s visit comes at a time when tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan remain high. Last month, Islamabad struck at Kabul using its air force while Muttaqi was in New Delhi. Pakistan has closed the trading posts since 11 October. The Taliban has made it clear that they seek to diversify their trading partners and India is a potential source for investments, especially in the mining and healthcare sectors.
“Indian companies are invited to invest in Afghanistan, especially in the mining sector. We are looking to minimise tariffs for businesses looking to invest in Afghanistan… Tariffs are very low right now for products such as medicines, it is at 2.5 per cent. If someone wants to invest in Afghanistan, we will support them,” said Azizi.
The Taliban has reduced tariffs on items such as sugar, medicines and rice. Following Muttaqi’s visit, the two sides have begun processing the creation of an air freight corridor connecting New Delhi and Amritsar with Kabul. The corridor is expected to start functioning soon.
Azizi pushed for hindrance free land routes to be opened and used by Indian exporters. Trade via the port of Chabahar in Iran was also discussed between Indian officials and Azizi. The acting minister met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, apart from interacting with businesses in India.
He is set to depart New Delhi Monday. The focus of the discussions according to Azizi is to see the $1 billion worth of trade currently to expand massively. There are “no targets” for how large trade can grow, Azizi said.
India last month upgraded its technical mission in Kabul to the status of an embassy. India does not formally recognise the Taliban regime. However, it has agreed to allow the Taliban to appoint its own diplomats to staff its missions in India.
“We have diplomats working here. Recognition has taken place, but on the appointment of new diplomats, we cannot push to make it happen tomorrow. We will fulfil all the requirements to appoint diplomats here,” said Azizi.
One of the topics discussed during Azizi’s visit to New Delhi is the potential trade via Pakistan. However, the preference at this moment is to allow any trade through a route that has little hindrance. The Attari border post remains closed for the movement of goods.
“A land and air corridor is being looked into, and we hope that both become active. We have also decided that we will have meetings of the trade committee,” said Azizi. The Acting Minister also pointed out that any pending visa issues have been solved for businesses in particular.
“There were some issues earlier. If someone wants a visa, they can take it from the Indian embassy in Kabul. Medical visas will also be issued soon” said Azizi.
He added: “We want India to invest in our private sector, whether it is true a joint venture or even opening a hospital branch… There are opportunities in areas such as oil, gas fields, gemstones and critical minerals.”
(Edited by Shashank Kishan)
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