Trade and commerce between India and Afghanistan

This article covers trade and commerce between India and Afghanistan: the trade figures for 2025-26, the main goods traded, the market access India offers to Afghan products, the Air Freight Corridor, and recent business contacts. It is based on the MEA brief of July 2026, and all figures are as given in that brief.

India as a trading partner

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, given the geographical proximity and historical linkages, India has been a natural trading partner for Afghanistan and the largest market in South Asia for its products.

The total bilateral trade between India and Afghanistan for the year 2025-26 was US$ 907.85 million, with imports from Afghanistan amounting to US$ 650 million. Citing the World Bank, the brief states that in FY 2025-26 India emerged as Afghanistan's largest export destination, taking 44% of Afghanistan's total exports.

Main goods traded

The brief lists India's major exports to Afghanistan as:

pharma products
fabric raw material
sugar and sugar confectionery
coffee, tea and spices
roasted chickpeas and filter tobacco
storage batteries, tractors and motorcycle engines

India mainly imports the following from Afghanistan:

dried fig, raisin, apple and garlic
pistachio, almonds and walnuts
asafoetida, saffron and green caraway

Zero-duty access for Afghan products

India offers the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) zero-duty concession for importing Afghan products. The brief states that this mainly aims to give trade opportunities to Afghan traders, and that it shows India's commitment to India-Afghanistan commercial relations.

Air Freight Corridor

India has launched a special Air Freight Corridor on the Kabul-Delhi-Kabul route. According to the brief, it aims to further enhance connectivity and facilitate smoother movement of goods between the two countries.

Business contacts

In June 2026, the Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) visited New Delhi. In addition to taking part in "Bharat Buildcon 2026", he held interactions with PHDCCI, FICCI and ASSOCHAM. Trade and commercial cooperation was also among the areas covered by the ministerial visits listed in the relations article of this guide, which included a visit by the Minister of Industry and Commerce in November 2025.

Since the brief of July 2026

Later developments in India and Afghanistan relations, from MEA publications, newest first. The article above reports the brief at its date.

Questions and answers

What was India-Afghanistan trade in 2025-26?

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, total bilateral trade for 2025-26 was US$ 907.85 million, with imports from Afghanistan amounting to US$ 650 million.

What does India import from Afghanistan?

The brief lists mainly dried fig, asafoetida, raisin, apple, pistachio, saffron, green caraway, almonds, garlic and walnuts.

What is the Kabul-Delhi Air Freight Corridor?

India has launched a special Air Freight Corridor on the Kabul-Delhi-Kabul route, which the brief says aims to enhance connectivity and facilitate smoother movement of goods between the two countries.

Sources

This article reports what the sources state at their date and does not add facts from elsewhere. Figures, office holders and agreements may have changed since. Diplo is independent and not affiliated with any government. Suggest a correction.