In another sign of the expanding engagement between India and Afghanistan’s Taliban administration, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held wide-ranging talks with Afghanistan’s Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Minister Mawlawi Ataullah Omari to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, irrigation, livestock, research, education, capacity building and agri-trade.
The meeting, attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), reviewed the existing agricultural partnership and explored new avenues of collaboration.
Welcoming the Afghan delegation, Minister Shivraj Chouhan said India and Afghanistan shared “centuries-old civilizational ties founded on trust, friendship and strong people-to-people relations.” Reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening agricultural cooperation, he said India was ready to share its scientific expertise, technological innovations and institutional experience to support Afghanistan’s food security, agricultural productivity and farmers’ prosperity.
Food security and seed development emerged as key areas of discussion, with the Afghan side seeking India’s assistance in improving wheat productivity through advanced seed technologies and research collaboration. Chouhan assured India’s support through the supply of quality wheat, maize and potato seeds, climate-resilient and biofortified crop varieties, as well as technical expertise from ICAR institutions.
The two sides also discussed water management and climate-resilient agriculture, with the Afghan delegation highlighting challenges posed by water scarcity and climate change. Chouhan shared India’s experience in micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, watershed development and efficient water-use technologies, and expressed willingness to support Afghanistan in developing sustainable irrigation systems.
The ministers also explored cooperation in agricultural research, education and capacity building. India proposed enhanced collaboration between ICAR and Afghan agricultural institutions through joint research, faculty and student exchanges, laboratory support and training programmes for scientists, veterinarians and extension personnel. Discussions also covered horticulture, dairy, livestock, poultry, fisheries, animal health, post-harvest management, digital agriculture and soil health.
Omari thanked India for its continued support to Afghanistan’s agriculture sector and sought deeper cooperation in improving wheat productivity, irrigation, livestock development, agricultural research, education, technology transfer and agri-business. Both sides also discussed expanding bilateral agricultural trade, strengthening agricultural value chains and promoting business-to-business engagement.
The two countries agreed to work towards establishing a Joint Working Group to prepare a long-term roadmap for cooperation in agriculture and livestock and to facilitate regular institutional engagement.
The meeting comes amid steadily growing engagement between New Delhi and the Taliban administration. New Delhi over the past two years, has maintained regular diplomatic contacts with Kabul while continuing humanitarian assistance and development cooperation.
The visit also follows a series of high-level engagements between the two sides. Earlier this year, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephone conversation with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, reaffirming India’s support for the Afghan people and discussing ways to expand bilateral cooperation. Taliban delegations have also travelled to New Delhi in recent years for discussions with Indian officials on political, trade, humanitarian and development issues, reflecting a gradual normalization of contacts since India reopened its technical mission in Kabul in 2022 and upgraded it to fully operational embassy in October 2025.
Thursday’s meeting is being seen as another step in deepening practical cooperation between the two countries, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and food security, where India has traditionally played an important developmental role in Afghanistan.
