KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s trade with India has reached $650 million this year, according to Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
The figure includes $447 million in Afghan exports and $203 million in imports from India, Jawad said.
Among Afghanistan’s chief exports to India were dried figs, asafoetida, saffron, raisins, green cumin, and almonds, according to the ministry. In return, Afghanistan imported items such as sugar, raw materials for factories, new clothing, and roasted chickpeas.
The announcement comes on the heels of a visit to Kabul by an Indian delegation led by J.P. Singh, India’s Deputy Foreign Minister. The visit included meetings with various Taliban officials, signaling potential interest in maintaining or expanding bilateral trade ties despite the broader geopolitical complexities surrounding Afghanistan’s current government.
Meanwhile, Afghan traders have voiced frustrations over persistent challenges facing their businesses. High tariffs and taxes, combined with a lack of refrigeration facilities, were cited as key obstacles hindering trade. These issues have compounded the difficulties of conducting commerce under the Taliban’s administration, traders say.
