Afghanistan managed to create a chance eight minutes later courtesy of Ali Reza Panahi, whose low drive from distance was dealt with by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
India could have broken the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Mahboob Hanifi was dispossessed inside the box, but goalkeeper Faisal Ahmad Hamidi was alert and smothered the danger before Ashique Kuruniyan could get his shot away.
The Blue Tigers had another opportunity to score before the half-time interval when a long throw into the box by Rahul Bheke was only partially cleared and fell to Jithin MS, whose left-footed shot went over the bar as both teams were goalless at the break.
After a stop-start beginning to the second half, a well-measured pass from substitute Manvir Singh in the 57th minute nearly found Jithin, who had beaten the offside trap but couldn’t get to the ball before the opposition goalkeeper.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu then came to India’s rescue 13 minutes later after Panahi reached the touchline and sent a low cutback from the right for Yama Sherzad, whose goalbound shot was parried onto the crossbar and away from danger.
The final quarter of the contest saw India find themselves in threatening positions but fail to produce the final balls with several attacks breaking in dangerous areas.
Afghanistan’s last chance came in the final minute of regulation time when a headed effort was saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as the match ended in a stalemate.