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India And Afghanistan Explore Deeper Textile Partnership, Eye Farmer Training And Stronger Trade Links

• By  Textile Excellence
• November 29, 2025

India and Afghanistan held high-level discussions in New Delhi to expand bilateral cooperation in the textile sector at a time when both countries see strategic value in strengthening supply chains and developing skilled manpower. The Afghan delegation, led by Shafiullah Azam, Director General of Economic Relations, met A. Bipin Menon, Trade Advisor in the Ministry of Textiles, to outline areas of collaboration across farming, manufacturing, and trade facilitation.

Afghanistan placed strong emphasis on improving its domestic textile ecosystem and building training facilities for farmers entering the cotton and apparel value chain. The Afghan side also highlighted the need for greater employment opportunities and skill development support as the sector remains a key driver of livelihoods.

India shared its readiness to support technical training for Afghan cotton farmers and explore smoother processes for shipments and visas. Both sides also discussed closer engagement between textile industry bodies and encouraged participation in Bharat Tex 2026.

India is currently the second-largest supplier of textiles and apparel to Afghanistan, exporting goods worth US$ 68.7 million in 2024. Afghanistan imported US$ 742.8 million worth of textiles and apparel globally in the same year and is seeking to tap India’s expertise as the world’s second-largest cotton producer to upgrade its production systems. The meeting reaffirmed mutual interest in building long-term cooperation to enhance competitiveness and trade flows across the textile value chain.  

India shared its readiness to support technical training for Afghan cotton farmers and explore smoother processes for shipments and visas. Both sides also discussed closer engagement between textile industry bodies and encouraged participation in Bharat Tex 2026.