India and Afghanistan Establish Joint Working Group for Agriculture

India and Afghanistan agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to create a long-term roadmap for cooperation in agriculture and livestock following bilateral talks in New Delhi from July 8 to July 10, 2026. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, India's Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, met with Afghanistan's Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Mawlawi Ataullah Omari, to discuss improving food security and wheat productivity.

India pledged to provide high-quality seeds for wheat, maize, and potatoes, alongside climate-resilient crop varieties. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research will provide scientific expertise to strengthen Afghan seed systems, and both nations explored extending a research partnership between the council and the Afghan National Agricultural Science and Technology University beyond its 2026 expiration. Discussions also focused on addressing water scarcity through Indian expertise in micro-irrigation and rainwater harvesting, as Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, the Afghan Charge d'Affaires, highlighted a critical drinking water crisis in Kabul.

Parallel to the agricultural talks, the two nations held the fourth round of the India-Afghanistan Joint Committee Meeting on July 9. Co-chaired by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the session reviewed bilateral relations regarding trade, connectivity, healthcare, and education. The visit concluded with a trade interactive session hosted by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry to explore further economic opportunities.