Taliban Halts Trade with India via Pakistan, Seals Two Terminals

India’s apex body of exporters has said that the Taliban have stopped all imports and exports with India and sealed two terminals crucial for trade through land on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

“Taliban have sealed the land-border trade route and stopped the movement of cargo on the transit route with Pakistan,” said Ajay Sahai, director-general of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).

However, trade happening through Dubai is not impacted.

India’s exports to Afghanistan in FY21 were $825 million while imports were $509 million. Fruit and nuts, and vegetable extracts are India’s largest exports from Kabul while the top exports are sugar and sugar confectionery, pharmaceutical products and apparel. New Delhi is Afghanistan’s largest market in South Asia.

Sahai said though industry is in a wait and watch mode, it is hopeful that the land routes will be opened soon as the Taliban tries to establish political legitimacy.