Taliban establishes trade mechanism via Uzbekistan

New Delhi: The Taliban regime in Kabul has signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan to export Afghan agricultural products by air, as border crossings with Pakistan remain closed amid heightened tensions. Haji Zaid, spokesperson for the Taliban governor in Balkh province, said on Thursday that Afghan farm produce would be exported through Uzbekistan's air corridors to markets in Central Asia, South Asia, and Europe. The move follows recent border clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan, which led Islamabad to close all crossings with Afghanistan. Uzbekistan, on its part, is keen to use the Chabahar Port through Afghan territory to trade with India and the Gulf region.

Afghanistan has also set up a mechanism to trade with Russia while establishing air cargo routes with India. In a post on X, Zaid said Afghan agricultural products such as pomegranates, figs, vegetables, and other fruits would be transported "through Uzbekistan's air routes to markets in Central Asia, South Asia, European countries..." Zaid said arrangements had also been made with Afghan traders to export meat to Uzbekistan and that the process had already begun.