Latest news with #Muttaqi
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Ishaq Dar to visit kabul to sign tri-nation rail feasibility pact
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is visiting Kabul on Thursday to sign a trilateral agreement on a joint feasibility study for the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project. Dar is accompanied by federal railways minister, the special assistant to the prime minister on Afghanistan, and the secretary of the ministry of railways, according to a statement by the Foreign Office. 🔊 PR No2️⃣0️⃣8️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ Curtain Raiser: Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar to Visit Afghanistan for Signing of Framework Agreement on Joint Feasibility Study of UAP Railway Project 🔗⬇️ — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 17, 2025 The UAP railway initiative aims to link Uzbekistan with Pakistani seaports via Afghanistan, creating a transit corridor that could transform regional trade and deepen connectivity between Central and South Asia. Read: Pakistan, Afghanistan trade hits $1b in first half of 2025 The signing of the Framework Agreement on the joint feasibility study marks a key milestone in the project's development, and reflects Pakistan's stated commitment to regional infrastructure and economic cooperation. During his one-day visit, Dar is also scheduled to meet Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and will call on the country's acting prime minister. Talks are expected to cover bilateral relations, regional connectivity, and broader international developments. During a phone call last month, Dar and Muttaqi reaffirmed their commitment to the UAP Railway Project and described it as key to unlocking regional connectivity. They also agreed to expedite work on the project's framework agreement. Muttaqi welcomed Pakistan's move to elevate diplomatic relations with Kabul and said Afghanistan would reciprocate, calling the decision a 'positive development' in rebuilding bilateral trust.
DW
06-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
Afghanistan: Russia recognizes the Taliban government – DW – 07/06/2025
Russia has become the first country in the world to formally recognize Afghanistan's Taliban government. This improves the radical group's standing on the world stage, and puts pressure on the West to follow suit. "This brave decision will be an example for others." With these words, Amir Khan Muttaqi, foreign minister in Afghanistan's Taliban government, welcomed the announcement by Russia that it was officially recognizing the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The Afghan Foreign Ministry wrote on X that this would be the start of "a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement." It also posted a video of the meeting in Kabul between Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, and Muttaqi, in which Muttaqi declares: "Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone." The radical Islamist Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 after the withdrawal of international troops. The government is not democratically elected, and enforces a severe interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Girls and women are banned from attending school after the age of 12. Until now, no country in the world has recognized the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Afghanistan expert Conrad Schetter, the director of the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (bicc), commented that Russia may have very specific reasons for recognizing the Taliban. It may, he told DW, have considerable interests in establishing economic ties with Afghanistan, not least as a potential hub for trade with Asia. Russia has been under international sanctions since the start of the war in Ukraine. The Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace drew the same conclusion in a study published in 2024. "Russian officials have again begun speaking about using Afghanistan as a transit hub — for exporting Russian natural gas to India, and other goods to ports in Pakistan," it said. "However, this requires a gas pipeline to be built through the mountains, and a railroad, which currently ends at Mazar-i-Sharif at the Uzbek border, to be extended." Until now, the construction of a railroad from Russia to Pakistan via the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan has been nothing more than a pipe dream. If it were built, it would give Russia direct access to the Indian Ocean. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video According to a study by the consultancy SpecialEurasia published on Friday, Moscow is hoping that its formal recognition of Afghanistan means it will become a major supplier and economic partner for the country "by expanding trade in oil, gas, and wheat, and by collaborating on infrastructure, energy, and agriculture projects." Schetter believes that Moscow wants to be the trendsetter in establishing a new way of dealing with Afghanistan, and that this is probably also a major factor in the decision. "They're now hoping that other countries under authoritarian rule will follow suit," he says. "With this step, they want to assume a leading role among the autocratic states. This too is probably a significant motivation behind this decision." While Russia is the first country to recognize the Taliban officially, others, mostly countries under authoritarian rule, have maintained relations with the Taliban for some time. The Chinese embassy in Kabul is still open, for example, and meetings between the two countries have taken place at ministerial level. Iran also maintains diplomatic contacts with the Taliban, and it too has an embassy in Kabul. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Pakistan has a close relationship with Afghanistan, despite political tensions caused by the activities of Sunni extremists along the border between the two countries. The region is seen as a breeding ground for extremist and terrorist activity around the world. The forced mass exodus of ethnic Afghans from Pakistan to Afghanistan shows the extent to which the two countries actually cooperate. Qatar is acting as an intermediary between the Taliban government and the West, and the 2020 Agreement between the US and Taliban governments that regulated the withdrawal of US troops was signed in Doha. Schetter comments that if these countries were to follow the Russian example, it would put considerable political pressure on Western states to do the same. "These states would then have to consider their attitude toward the Taliban. And this is precisely what could create a diplomatic dynamic that the Taliban now, because of this latest move by Russia, are more hopeful for." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Afghan women's rights activists fear that Russia's recognition of the Taliban bodes ill for people in Afghanistan, especially women and girls. Shaharzad Akbar, the former chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, says the decision did not come as a surprise, but that it is very worrying, as it normalizes the Taliban's extensive crimes against their own people, especially women. "This recognition sends a signal to all countries that work against women and human rights, that oppress women, and base their politics on religion, repression, and ethnic affiliation," she says. Schetter is also concerned. "This step indicates that the international community prioritizes recognition of the Taliban over the observance of human rights," he says. "This is about sheer power politics, in which the question of human or women's rights really plays a very subordinate role." He believes there is reason to hope that the Taliban might grant women more rights again one day. "But this will have to happen according to the Taliban's rules. The current logic of the Islamist group in Afghanistan consists of depriving women of all their rights in order to reinstate them at some later stage. But this will happen based on a decision that the Taliban will make themselves, not as a result of international pressure. For now, though, the Taliban may feel that the recognition by Russia validates the domestic policy they're pursuing."
Gulf Today
05-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Russia becomes first state to recognise Afghan Taliban rule
Afghanistan's government said that Russia had become the first country to officially recognise its rule, calling it a 'brave decision.' In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow saw good prospects to develop ties and would continue to support Kabul in security, counter-terrorism and combating drug crime. It also saw significant trade and economic opportunities, especially in energy, transport, agriculture and infrastructure. 'We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields,' the ministry said. The Russian foreign ministry also announced that it had received credentials from Afghanistan's newly appointed Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan. Afghanistan's foreign ministry called it a historic step, and quoted Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi as welcoming the decision as 'a good example for other countries.' The Taliban swept back to power in 2021 after ousting the foreign-backed government and have imposed an austere version of Islamic law. The announcement was made after Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul on Thursday. 'This brave decision will be an example for others... Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone,' Muttaqi said in a video of the meeting on X. 'Russia is the first country which has officially recognised the Islamic Emirate,' Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal told AFP, using the government's name for their administration. Muttaqi said it was 'a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement,' the foreign ministry posted on X. Russia's foreign ministry added on Telegram: 'We believe that the act of official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas.' It highlighted potential 'commercial and economic' cooperation in 'energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure.' The ministry said that Moscow hoped to continue helping Kabul 'reinforce regional security and fight against the threats of terrorism and drug-trafficking.' China on Friday said it welcomed Russia's decision. 'As a traditional friendly neighbour of Afghanistan, the Chinese side has always believed that Afghanistan should not be excluded from the international community,' foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. China does not officially recognise the government but hosts a Taliban ambassador in Beijing. It has said the Taliban government will need to introduce political reforms, improve security and mend relations with its neighbouring countries before receiving full diplomatic recognition. But on Friday, Mao said: 'No matter how the internal or external situation changes in Afghanistan, diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan have never been interrupted.' 'The diplomatic institutions of the two sides in each other's countries have maintained their normal functioning and have played a positive role in promoting the development of relations between the two countries,' she added. Russia has taken recent steps to normalise relations with the Taliban authorities, removing them from a list of 'terrorist organisations' in April and accepting a Taliban ambassador in Moscow. In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban 'allies in the fight against terrorism'. Russia was the first country to open a business representative office in Kabul after the Taliban takeover, and has announced plans to use Afghanistan as a transit hub for gas heading to Southeast Asia. This time, multiple other states, including China and Pakistan, have accepted Taliban ambassadors in their capitals, but have not officially recognised the Islamic Emirate since the end of the then-insurgency's two-decade war with US-led NATO troops. There has been limited but growing engagement with the Taliban authorities, particularly from regional neighbours, but also major global players China and Russia. Agence France-Presse
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Moscow's Kabul push to create space for India
India is unlikely to immediately recognize the Taliban. Russia's move creates opportunities for New Delhi. India-Kabul ties have been improving. Russia's recognition may help India. It could allow India to balance regional strategy. India has resumed visa services for Afghans. Jaishankar thanked Muttaqi for condemning the Kashmir attack. The Taliban wants to use INSTC and Chabahar for trade. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India is unlikely to immediately follow Russia's move to formally recognise the Taliban 2.0 regime in Afghanistan, but Moscow's decision opens space for New Delhi's strategy in the region, according to between New Delhi and Kabul have been warming up over the past year, with India stepping up its engagements with Taliban 2.0 and the regime condemning the Pahalgam strategic partner Russia this week became the first country to officially recognise the new Taliban regime. The move could bolster India's outreach while Kabul-Islamabad ties remain lukewarm."Russian overtures to the Taliban may inadvertently open new space for India to assert its own agency," said Vinay Kaura, assistant professor, department of international affairs and security studies, Sardar Patel University of Police, Security and Criminal Justice, Rajasthan, and a watcher of Afghanistan-Pakistan region. "As Moscow navigates its new relationship with Kabul, it will likely seek to avoid dependence on China. This creates an opening for India to engage Russia as a partner in regional stability, perhaps restoring some of the strategic balance that has been lost in recent years."In May, India relaunched visa services for Afghan nationals and visas will be issued primarily for people with ailments on a case-to-case April, external affairs minister S Jaishankkar spoke by phone with Taliban's Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, thanking him for condemning the terrorist attack in Taliban regime is keen to utilise both the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as well as Chabahar Port for global trade and thereby reduce dependence on the Pakistani ports.
Gulf Today
04-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Russia first country to recognise Taliban govt
Afghanistan's government said on Thursday that Russia had become the first country to officially recognise its rule, calling it a "brave decision". The Taliban swept back to power in 2021 after ousting the foreign-backed government and have imposed an austere version of Islamic law. They have keenly sought official international recognition and investment, as the country recovers from four decades of war, including the Soviet invasion from 1979 to 1989. The announcement was made after Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul on Thursday. "This brave decision will be an example for others... Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone," Muttaqi said in a video of the meeting on X. The flag of Afghanistan flutters at its embassy in Moscow on Friday. Reuters "Russia is the first country which has officially recognised the Islamic Emirate," Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal told AFP, using the government's name for their administration. Muttaqi said it was "a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement", the foreign ministry posted on X. Russia's foreign ministry added on Telegram: "We believe that the act of official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas." It highlighted potential "commercial and economic" cooperation in "energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure". 'Fight terrorism' The ministry said that Moscow hoped to continue helping Kabul "reinforce regional security and fight against the threats of terrorism and drug-trafficking". Moscow has taken recent steps to normalise relations with the Taliban authorities, removing them from a list of "terrorist organisations" in April and accepting a Taliban ambassador in Kabul. In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban "allies in the fight against terrorism". Russia was the first country to open a business representative office in Kabul after the Taliban takeover, and has announced plans to use Afghanistan as a transit hub for gas heading to Southeast Asia. 'Allies' Only Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates recognised the Taliban during their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001. This time, multiple other states, including China and Pakistan, have accepted Taliban ambassadors in their capitals, but have not officially recognised the Islamic Emirate since the end of the then-insurgency's two-decade war with US-led NATO troops. There has been limited but growing engagement with the Taliban authorities, particularly from regional neighbours, but also major global players China and Russia. China on Friday said it welcomed Russia's decision. An official gestures next to the flag of Afghanistan as he stands on the balcony of the Afghan embassy in Moscow on July 4, 2025. AFP "As a traditional friendly neighbour of Afghanistan, the Chinese side has always believed that Afghanistan should not be excluded from the international community," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. However, restrictions on women and girls, barring them from education and squeezing them from public life, have been key sticking points for Western nations. Multiple Afghan women activists were quick to condemn Russia's recognition. The move "legitimises a regime that bans girls from education, enforces public floggings, and shelters UN-sanctioned terrorists", said Mariam Solaimankhil, former member of Afghanistan's parliament. "The move signals that strategic interests will always outweigh human rights and international law." Senior Taliban figures remain under international sanctions, including by the United Nations. Another former MP in Kabul, Fawzia Koofi, said any recognition of the Taliban "will not bring peace it will legitimise impunity" and "risk endangering not just the people of Afghanistan, but also global security". Agence France-Presse
