Focus on 'effectively utilising' Chabahar port: Afghan Minister

New Delhi/Kabul: Afghan Industry and Commerce Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi arrived in New Delhi Wednesday afternoon, kicking off the official visit of a high-ranking government delegation from Kabul with the aim of activating and effectively utilising the capacities of India-developed Chabahar Port in Iran and attracting and drawing more investments.

Welcoming the visiting minister, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that advancing bilateral trade and investment ties is the key focus of Azizi's visit.

Just ahead of the visiting delegation's arrival in India, Afghanistan's Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that enhancing bilateral trade through the port will be a key agenda of discussions during Azizi's visit.

"During this trip, the Afghan delegation, while visiting the Pragati Maidan International Exhibition, will meet with high-ranking officials of the Government of India, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Commerce besides traders, investors, and honourable members of the private sector of the two countries. The focus of these meetings is to expand economic cooperation,facilitate trade relations, create joint investment opportunities, and strengthen Afghanistan's role in the region's transit routes," read a statement issued by the Afghan ministry.

"This trip is evaluated as an important step towards strengthening economic and commercial relations between the two countries, and it is expected that its results will play a significant role in improving communications, boosting trade, and developing transit routes," it added while stressing the need to effectively utilising the capacities of Chabahar Port in Iran.

Kabul is keen on facilitating transit of goods through India-developed Chabahar port in Iran, especially after increasing border tensions with neighbouring Pakistan which has resulted in massive losses for traders on both sides of the Durand Line.