Taliban proposes delegation exchange to strengthen ties with Russia

The Taliban has proposed increased cooperation with Russia, according to Suheil Shahin, head of the Taliban’s political bureau in Qatar.

The movement is exploring the possibility of exchanging delegations with Russia to identify potential areas for bilateral collaboration, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Shahin highlighted that Russian-Afghan relations hold significant potential for development. He stated that Kabul is keen to maintain friendly ties with Russia to attract investments and bolster cooperation across various sectors.

Since the Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021, ending nearly two decades of U.S. military presence, Afghanistan has seen significant changes. Following this, Russia formally accredited its first diplomat from the Taliban government in March 2022, marking a step in ongoing diplomatic relations. Additionally, a Russian embassy continues to operate in Kabul, reflecting a structured diplomatic engagement.

In June 2022, a Taliban delegation participated in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), and this year's SPIEF, held from June 5-8, also featured Taliban representatives, demonstrating their continued engagement in international platforms.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has confirmed that Russia maintains regular communication with the Taliban. He noted that discussions are ongoing regarding the formal recognition of the Taliban government, contingent upon the group's commitments to establishing an inclusive government and resolving conflicts with factions such as the National Resistance Front, which operates in northern Afghanistan.