Afghan health minister Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali India visit | Beyond Borders By Prajila

New Delhi |Dec 22, 2025 | BeyondborBersbyJwala

India has significantly reinforced its humanitarian engagement with Afghanistan, announcing substantial healthcare support including critical medical infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives. This development follows the visit of Afghanistan's Minister of Public Health, H.E. Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, to New Delhi from December 16-21, 2025.

While the primary backdrop of the visit was Minister Jalali’s participation in the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, the sidelines featured intensive bilateral engagements aimed at bolstering Afghanistan's fragile healthcare system. The visit underscores New Delhi's sustained strategy of prioritizing the welfare of the Afghan people through developmental assistance, despite the complex political dynamics in the region.

Critical Infrastructure and Long-Term Supply

A key outcome emerged from the bilateral meeting between Minister Jalali and India's Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda. Reaffirming India’s commitment to continued humanitarian assistance, the discussion focused on ensuring a long-term, reliable supply of essential medicines to Afghanistan.

In a symbolic gesture reflecting continued support, a handover of cancer medicines and vaccines took place during the meeting. However, the major takeaway was the announcement of a larger, forthcoming consignment that will include extensive supplies of medicines, vaccines, and, crucially, a 128-slice CT scanner to strengthen diagnostic capabilities within Afghanistan.

Institutionalizing Cooperation and Capacity Building

The scope of engagement widened during discussions with Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh. Moving beyond immediate aid, both sides explored institutional mechanisms to streamline cooperation, proposing the formation of a Joint Working Group on Health.

Significantly, India agreed to expand its soft power footprint in the sector by planning to send a team of Indian medical doctors to Afghanistan. This team will conduct capacity-building programs for Afghan doctors, addressing a critical skills gap in the country's medical workforce. Further discussions included establishing cancer treatment facilities within Afghanistan.

Leveraging Traditional Knowledge and Industry Ties

Aligning with the theme of the WHO summit, Minister Jalali met with the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav. They discussed opportunities for collaboration in education, research, and regulation of traditional medicines, an area where India holds significant expertise that could benefit the Afghan healthcare system.

To understand the operational framework of India’s healthcare ecosystem, the Afghan delegation undertook study tours to premier institutions, including AIIMS, New Delhi, and the Centre of Excellence in Unani Medicine at Jamia Hamdard University.

The delegation also engaged with key regulatory bodies such as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Furthermore, interactive sessions with top industry bodies—including FICCI, PHDCCI, and the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil)—signaled potential future commercial and technical cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector.