India Plans to Establish Air Cargo Services with Afghanistan
The strategic decision emerged following a high-profile visit to New Delhi this week by Afghanistan's Taliban Trade Minister Nooruddin Azizi, who pressed for enhanced economic cooperation and expanded logistics infrastructure connecting the neighboring countries.
Air freight corridors linking Afghanistan with Delhi and Amritsar have now been officially activated and await final clearance, Anand Prakash, a senior official in the Indian foreign ministry, confirmed during Friday's announcement to reporters.
"All formalities from our side are over," Prakash said during the briefing. "We are waiting for all the papers from their (Afghan) side ... Once they complete them, cargo flights will start," he added, indicating imminent commencement of operations.
Azizi had called on India to boost trade and open cargo hubs with Afghanistan, emphasizing the urgent need for expanded commercial channels. The Taliban has been seeking access to grain, medicine, and industrial goods since its border with Pakistan was shut following military clashes between the two countries in October, creating severe supply chain disruptions.
India backed Afghanistan in its latest conflict with Pakistan, demonstrating New Delhi's willingness to support Kabul diplomatically amid regional tensions.
India has reopened its embassy in Kabul in October after a four-year gap, marking a notable shift in diplomatic posture toward the Taliban-controlled government.
The embassy in Kabul was closed after the Taliban took control following the US withdrawal in 2021, effectively ending two decades of Western-backed governance. The embassy building had been operating as a technical mission to help facilitate Indian humanitarian aid to Afghanistan during the interim period.
Indian airlines do not operate flights to Afghanistan, although Afghan carriers operate passenger services between Kabul and Delhi, maintaining limited but functional air connectivity between the capitals.
Pakistan has banned Indian carriers from flying in its airspace since tensions erupted earlier this year following a terror attack in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, complicating regional aviation routes and forcing longer flight paths.
India and Afghanistan have historically friendly relations spanning decades, built on cultural ties, development assistance, and shared strategic interests in regional stability and counterterrorism cooperation.
The cargo initiative represents India's pragmatic approach to maintaining influence in Afghanistan while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape created by Taliban rule and strained relations with Pakistan.
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