Afghanistan is increasingly turning to trade routes through Iran and Central Asia, particularly the Chabahar port developed by India, as tensions with Pakistan escalate. Recent reports indicate that trade with Iran has outpaced that with Pakistan, reaching $1.6 billion compared to $1.1 billion, due to the closure of border crossings which has caused significant daily losses for traders. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi emphasized the importance of Chabahar as a reliable link to the Arabian Sea, advocating for negotiations to enhance trade despite US sanctions. This shift reflects Afghanistan’s strategic pivot towards diversifying its trade dependencies while aiming to bolster its agricultural exports amid a challenging economic climate.