Afghanistan has appointed diplomat Noor Ahmed Noor to its Embassy in Delhi, sources told ANI on Saturday.

The appointment comes as Afghanistan seeks to strengthen its ties with India, particularly in the health and pharmaceutical sectors. On 20 December, Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, described India as a “key alternative partner” for Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical needs, citing deteriorating relations with Pakistan.

“We have a strong relationship with India, and we are here to open a new chapter of cooperation and collaboration. When it comes to Pakistan, the relationship stands deteriorated,” Jalali said during his visit to New Delhi for the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine.

India reaffirmed its commitment to continued humanitarian support for Afghanistan, with a focus on the long-term supply of medicines and health assistance as a key pillar of bilateral engagement. The Ministry of External Affairs welcomed Jalali on his first official visit to India, highlighting New Delhi’s sustained humanitarian outreach despite shifting regional dynamics.

Jalali’s visit follows a series of high-level exchanges between the two countries. In October 2025, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, visited India for the first time since the Taliban assumed power, expressing gratitude for the warm reception he received.

In addition, Afghanistan’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, announced on 24 November that long-standing visa hurdles between India and Afghanistan have been resolved. Afghan citizens can now obtain Indian visas for medical treatment and business purposes, with the Afghan Embassy in Delhi playing a key role in facilitating these services. The Embassy of India in Kabul is also expected to develop programmes to support Afghan nationals.