New Delhi, Nov. 24 -- Afghanistan has offered its long-idle mining sites to India for exploration as part of its efforts to deepen economic engagement and generate local employment, but the Indian industry body Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has responded cautiously, noting that mining remains a "bit more difficult" and requires detailed geological groundwork before any investment can move ahead.

Addressing media persons after a high-level meeting with an Afghan delegation, ASSOCHAM Secretary General Manish Singhal said, "They did mention that they have lots of mines in Afghanistan which was also actually explored decades back, but now they are not functioning." He added that the Afghan side was open to ...