New Delhi |Dec 22, 2025 | External Affairs
INDIA has reiterated its commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s public health infrastructure during the five-day visit of Afghan Minister of Public Health, H.E. Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, who was in New Delhi from December 16 to 21, 2025. The visit comes at a time when Afghanistan continues to face severe healthcare challenges, and New Delhi positions health cooperation as a key pillar of its humanitarian engagement with the Afghan people.
Minister Jalali was in India to participate in the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, where Afghanistan joined discussions on integrating traditional medical knowledge systems with modern health services — an area where India has emerging global leadership.
India Hands Over Medicines, Plans Major Medical Assistance
In bilateral talks with India’s Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda, New Delhi announced expanded medical assistance, including the symbolic handover of cancer medicines and vaccines. India confirmed that a larger shipment of medicines, vaccines, and a 128-slice CT scanner is already being prepared for dispatch to Afghanistan, aimed at boosting diagnostic and treatment capacity in Afghan hospitals.
Officials emphasized that these efforts form part of India’s continued humanitarian outreach, beyond political complexities.
Building Afghan Medical Capacity: Doctors, Joint Working Group on Agenda
Minister Jalali also met Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, where discussions focused on structural cooperation, including:
- Formation of a Joint Working Group on Health
- Establishing cancer treatment facilities in Afghanistan
- Deployment of Indian medical experts for capacity-building of Afghan doctors
- Support to ongoing development projects in the health sector
The emphasis on capacity-building signals India’s intent to shift from short-term humanitarian supply to long-term healthcare resilience in Afghanistan.
Engagement on Traditional Medicine & Drug Regulation
The Afghan Minister’s meeting with Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Shri Prataprao Jadhav explored collaborations in:
- Education and research on traditional systems of medicine
- Regulatory frameworks for Ayush-based healthcare
- Exchange of practitioners and students
This aligns with Kabul’s interest in strengthening public access to traditional and culturally relevant medical care, particularly in underserved rural regions.
Technical Visits Deepen Institutional Linkages
To understand India’s tertiary and regulatory health systems, the Afghan delegation visited key institutions, including:
- AIIMS New Delhi
- Centre of Excellence in Unani Medicine, Jamia Hamdard
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation Limited
They also held interactions with FICCI, PHDCCI and Pharmexcil — aimed at facilitating medical commerce and pharmaceutical cooperation between both countries.
India’s Humanitarian Bridge Continues
The visit reinforces India's position as a steadfast development and humanitarian partner to the Afghan people despite the evolving political situation in Kabul. By placing healthcare cooperation at the centre of engagement, New Delhi continues to focus on the well-being of Afghan citizens while maintaining diplomatic channels and institutional linkages.
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