Ever since Donald Trump imposed 50 percent tariff, India is exploring opportunities in new markets. Many countries from European Union to Asia are openly making offers to India. Some are talking about zero tariff and some are talking about minimal tariff. But now Pakistan’s enemy Afghanistan has made a bumper offer. Afghanistan’s Commerce and Industry Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, who reached Delhi on Monday, said that we have come to invite Indian businessmen to come and invest in Afghanistan. We will provide them all kinds of help. Will remove every obstacle in the path of our relationship. Not only this, minimum tariff will be imposed on Indian products. He also said that talks are going on to impose zero tariff. We are ready to open new economic avenues for India.
Azizi’s statement that he will impose minimal tariffs and remove every obstacle is a direct signal to India that Kabul has opened doors for New Delhi and now both the countries are ready to pave the way for the future together. After talking to businessmen in Delhi, Azizi said, it is a matter of great pride for me that two great countries like India and Afghanistan are now working together. Our relations are not just limited to trade, but are also very strong politically and culturally. Now we are also moving forward in the fields of politics, business and investment.
Business open, visa easy
Azizi said that one of the biggest obstacles between India and Afghanistan, visa, has now been resolved. Now people from private sector will also get business visa. It has also been agreed to restart medical visas. This decision will directly bring relief to thousands of Afghan patients, businessmen and students.
Big announcement on tariff
The most important part of the meeting was the discussion on tariffs. Aziji said, talks have been held with India on zero tariff. We will minimize tariffs so that trade between the two countries increases rapidly. This is a big opportunity for India, because Afghanistan is a big market for Indian medicines, agricultural products, food items, steel and infrastructure materials.
Pakistan is no longer an obstacle
Afghanistan also made it clear that Pakistan will no longer become an obstacle in the way of trade. Aziji clearly said that trade between India and Afghanistan should not stop because of Pakistan. Be it the path of Pakistan or Iran, we will choose the one which is easy and good. The message of this statement is bigger than regional politics that Kabul has indicated that it is keeping its business interests separate from the politics of Pakistan.
Container and logistics costs will reduce
Azizi said that both the countries have also had serious discussions on reducing logistics costs. Container charges will be less. Road charges will be reduced. Fast and cheap route will be priority. This will have a direct impact on the cost of India-Afghan trade, which had increased significantly in the last few years.
Preparation to open banking system
There were obstacles in trade due to closure of banking facilities between Afghanistan and India. The minister said that talks have also started on restoring the banking system between India and Afghanistan. This step will reinvigorate formal trade and reduce dependence on non-formal routes. Aziji indicated that this journey is just the beginning. In the coming time, more high level meetings will be held in Kabul and Delhi. Both India and Afghanistan want to turn this into a long-term partnership.
The scope of private sector in Afghanistan is very big
The Afghan Minister directly appealed to the Indian investors that there are big opportunities for Indian companies in all these sectors like mining, agriculture, health, construction, energy. He said that the scope for the private sector in Afghanistan is very big. If India comes forward, both the countries will benefit. Aziji clearly said, whatever dispute we have with Pakistan, it will not become a hindrance in India-Afghanistan trade. This statement is being considered a big signal in the politics of South Asia that Afghanistan wants independent and strong economic relations with India.
