Afghanistan Seeks Higher Trade, More Use of Chabahar Port
Afghanistan has urged India to increase bilateral trade and make wider use of Iran’s Chabahar Port, during talks held in New Delhi this week. Afghan Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi met India’s Minister of State for Commerce Jitin Prasada and called for stronger connectivity as Kabul looks for more reliable alternatives to traditional transit routes.
Chabahar seen as stable option
Azizi said the Chabahar route had proven to be a stable and efficient corridor for Afghan goods, especially at a time when border disruptions with Pakistan continue to hinder trade. He requested India’s support for regular shipping services from Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva Port to Chabahar and proposed setting up a dry port in Afghanistan’s Nimroz province to speed up cargo movement.
India expresses willingness to cooperate
Prasada said India was committed to strengthening trade links and reiterated New Delhi’s long-standing belief that Chabahar is a vital access point for Afghanistan’s global trade. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also discussed connectivity with Azizi, noting that India would continue to back Afghanistan’s economic stability.
Fact-checked updates
Chabahar Port is operational and jointly used by India and Iran under a long-term agreement signed in 2024. Afghanistan has publicly stated multiple times since 2023 that Pakistani border closures have caused trade losses, making alternative corridors essential. India currently handles a portion of Afghan exports through Chabahar, but Kabul is seeking higher volumes and more frequent shipping schedules.
