India and Afghanistan held high-level discussions to boost cooperation in the textile sector, with both sides exploring avenues for deeper economic engagement and capacity-building across the cotton and textile value chain.
In a statement on X, Afghanistan's Ministry of Industry and Commerce said the Indian council expressed interest in greater collaboration, including setting up spice production factories in Afghanistan. The discussions also covered issues related to medicine imports, improving spice quality,
India is set to restart air cargo routes with Afghanistan as Kabul seeks new trade options amid tensions with Pakistan. During his visit to New Delhi, Afghan minister Azizi discussed boosting exports, restoring payment channels and expanding trade through air corridors and Chabahar port.
The spokesperson's remarks follow the government's announcement last month that India would transition its Technical Mission in Kabul into a full Embassy of India. At the October 16 briefing, the MEA had confirmed that the upgrade would take place soon.
India's Technical Mission has been operational in Kabul since June 2022, providing limited diplomatic and humanitarian engagement after the closure of the Indian Embassy in August 2021, following the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces from Afghanistan.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, was presented with a sacred shawl and cap (Fez) by the family of Mahmood-ul-Hassan during his visit to India.
When asked by reporters about the recent border clashes with Pakistan, Muttaqi said Afghanistan also has five other neighbours and all are happy with them.
The reaction came after India and Afghanistan issued a joint statement on October 10, following discussions between External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Muttaqi on a range of bilateral and regional issues.
"We did not talk about that (ban on education for women in Afghanistan)... There is no difference in our religious teachings anywhere in the world, and we all preach the same things... Wherever there is a madrassa in the world, the same things are taught... What is happening with women in