October 15, 2025

NEW DELHI: Sparkling with hope, Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi made a strong call to Indian policymakers to push the US to lift restrictions on the vital Chabahar port in Iran. Speaking at a lively event organized by the business giant Ficci, Muttaqi said Afghanistan wants the “optimum utilisation” of Chabahar and needs India's powerful voice in Washington. "Both countries (India and the US) should make efforts to lift restrictions," he said clearly. For years, India has eyed Chabahar as a golden gateway to reach markets like Afghanistan. But tightened US sanctions on Iran have complicated this dream. Can this door be opened fully? Muttaqi says yes, but only with support! The Afghan minister didn't stop there. He urged India to make visa rules simpler. “You issue visas, make the visa processes easier, flights come and go, there is no issue, passports are there, there is no issue, what is not there is visas, give visas,” he told the buzzing room and reporters. Exciting news followed. Rajya Sabha member Vikramjit Singh Sahney, who was part of the meeting, revealed new links: direct flights from Amritsar to Kabul, and plans to boost cargo flights between Amritsar and Kandahar, plus Delhi to Kabul. This means easier travel and stronger trade ties ahead! With visas in hand and skies connecting cities, Afghanistan and India hope to deepen trade, investment, and people-to-people connections. In this dance of diplomacy, Chabahar could be the shining star that brings these friends even closer.

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Tags: Afghanistan, Chabahar port, India-us relations, Visa rules, Trade, Direct flights,