India and Afghanistan are drawing closer once again, this time, doing so above Pakistan’s head. After months of border closures, airspace restrictions and disrupted trade routes, New Delhi and Kabul are preparing to relaunch direct cargo flights that could reopen a vital economic lifeline between the two nations.
The breakthrough occurred during Afghan Commerce and Industry Minister Al-Haj Nooruddin Azizi’s five-day visit to India, a trip aimed at reducing Kabul’s dependence on Pakistan. Over the past year, Islamabad has repeatedly closed border crossings, restricted movement and limited cross-border trade following military clashes, choking Afghan exports and stranding thousands of traders. A MEA official announced that air freight corridors on the Kabul-Delhi and Kabul-Amritsar sectors have now been activated. Cargo flights will begin very soon, adding that all formalities on India’s side are already complete. The next step lies with Afghan authorities, who are in the final stages of documentation, as per a report.