India replaces Pakistan as Afghanistan’s top export market – Firstpost

India has surpassed Pakistan to become the number one export market for Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, marking a significant shift in Kabul’s regional trade relationships as New Delhi expands its economic footprint in the country.

According to data shared by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, nearly 43 per cent of Afghanistan’s exports now head to India. The country’s shipments to India rose more than 23 per cent to $755 million in 2025, compared with $612 million in 2024.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s exports to Pakistan witnessed a sharp decline, falling 38.2 per cent from $817 million in 2024 to $505 million in 2025. The shift comes amid growing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad and Afghanistan’s efforts to diversify its trade routes and economic partners.

India has emerged as a major destination for Afghan products such as dried figs, raisins, saffron, asafoetida, pistachios, almonds, walnuts, apples and spices. Afghanistan, in turn, imports Indian pharmaceutical products, industrial raw materials, sugar, automobile components, machinery, clothing and other goods.

The growing economic engagement is also expanding beyond traditional trade. India and Afghanistan are exploring cooperation in mining and critical minerals, with Kabul seeking investment in its vast reserves of lithium, copper and rare earth elements.

Afghan authorities have reportedly offered opportunities in sectors such as lead, zinc and talc mining as the country looks to attract foreign investment into its natural resources sector.

For India, stronger economic engagement with Afghanistan carries wider strategic significance. It helps New Delhi maintain influence in Kabul, secure access to potential critical mineral supply chains, and balance China’s growing presence in the region.

Although India has not formally recognised the Taliban government, trade and economic cooperation between the two sides continue to grow, reflecting changing geopolitical realities in South Asia.