NEW DELHI (TDI): Afghan Health Minister Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali arrives in New Delhi, marking another step in deepening engagement between Afghanistan and India.
Jalali becomes the third minister from the Islamic Emirate to visit India, following Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Industry and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi.
The visit comes as health cooperation between the two countries continues to expand. India is supporting major medical infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, supplying medicines and vaccines, and seeking to strengthen public health services across the country.
India’s initiatives include building a 30-bed hospital in Kabul’s Bagrami district, an Oncology Centre, a Trauma Centre, and five maternity clinics in Paktika, Khost, and Paktia provinces to improve healthcare access in remote regions.
As a humanitarian gesture, India has donated 20 ambulances, five of which were personally handed over by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Afghan officials.
During his visit, Jalali is also scheduled to hold meetings with Indian officials, particularly from the health sector, and participate in several organized programs.
Discussions will focus on capacity-building for Afghan health workers, imports of quality medicines, medical equipment, and other healthcare-related issues. Indian officials have welcomed the Afghan delegation, emphasizing India’s continued support for Afghanistan’s healthcare system and expressing hope for productive discussions.
The visit comes amid strained ties between Kabul and Islamabad. Relations have been tense following the Taliban-led government’s ban on importing pharmaceutical goods from Pakistan and ongoing disputes over cross-border terrorism. Despite multiple rounds of dialogue mediated by Türkiye and Qatar after border clashes in October, Islamabad and Kabul have failed to resolve security and trade disputes, resulting in a suspension of trade ties and border closures.
Although India does not formally recognize the Islamic Emirate, it has been increasingly engaging with Kabul, supporting healthcare, education, and economic projects while maintaining diplomatic channels.
Jalali’s visit reflects a continued effort by both countries to build cooperation in health, education, and trade, signaling a pragmatic approach to addressing Afghanistan’s pressing development and humanitarian needs.
Minahil Khurshid holds a Master's in Peace and Conflict Studies from NUST. She is passionate about current affairs, public policy, and geopolitics.
