India and Afghanistan discuss deeper collaboration in textile development

Talks focus on training, shipments and building Afghan textile capacity.

India and Afghanistan have begun exploring fresh opportunities to expand cooperation in the textile sector during a high-level meeting in New Delhi. The Afghan delegation, led by Shafiullah Azam, Director General of Economic Relations, Government of Afghanistan, met A. Bipin Menon, Trade Advisor, Ministry of Textiles, to outline areas where the two countries can work more closely.

The discussions centred on technical assistance and training programmes for Afghan cotton farmers, smoother shipment processes, visa facilitation, and stronger collaboration between industry associations in both countries. The Afghan side highlighted its focus on expanding its textile ecosystem, generating employment, and improving training infrastructure for farmers entering the cotton and textile value chain.

Officials noted that the two countries already share strong complementarities in textile trade. India is the second-largest supplier of textiles and apparel to Afghanistan, with exports amounting to $68.7 million last year. Afghanistan, which imported $742.8 million worth of textiles and apparel globally in 2024, expressed interest in tapping into India’s strengths as the world’s second-largest cotton producer to build its domestic textile capacity.

Both sides agreed to continue engaging on areas of mutual benefit and deepen cooperation in the sector.

News source: News on Air