The Taliban rulers, in their second innings in power, have been treated as ‘pariahs’ and shunned by the international community. But, recently, the regime has notched up some big victories in its diplomatic efforts to forge international ties
COMING back to power in Afghanistan after 20 years, following the hasty withdrawal of American forces from the country, Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers, or the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, are witnessing a renewed interest in the country. During the last four years, old friends like Pakistan have become foes and old enemies like Russia have become friends, in a diplomatic teeter.
Last week, India’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Anand Prakash, was in Kabul for talks with senior Taliban leaders on boosting political and trade links between the two countries. Meanwhile, a Taliban delegation was also in talks with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov in Tashkent on the proposed trans-Afghan rail link.
Except for China, no other country has formally recognised the Taliban regime, yet. The regime has faced broad criticism over the alleged widespread human rights violations, particularly against women and girls. But things are moving in the Taliban’s favour in international circles.
China became the first country to accept a Taliban-appointed ambassador in January 2024. It has been edging talks forward on infrastructure and investment as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
On Friday (May 2), in an interview with the Russian news agency RIA, Novosti Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, announced Moscow’s readiness to collaborate with the Taliban in combating the Islamic State (ISIS) affiliate in Afghanistan, known as ISIS-Khorasan.
Russia has been targeted by several ISIS-related attacks in recent months, with the deadliest being a shooting at a concert hall near Moscow in March 2024, resulting in the death of 145 people. These incidents have prompted Russia to increase its focus on counterterrorism efforts, domestically and internationally.
Russian officials have repeatedly expressed their readiness to cooperate with the Taliban in various sectors, signalling a shift in Moscow’s approach to Afghanistan.
Notably, Russia recently removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organisations, a significant step that further indicates the Kremlin’s willingness to engage with the Taliban, despite not officially recognising the group as Afghanistan’s legitimate government.
Russia has also been seeking to develop economic interests in Afghanistan, especially in the mining and energy sectors. It did, in fact, keep its embassy in Kabul open, merely downgrading it in name after the Taliban seized power.
Reportedly, Russian and Taliban representatives are expected to sign a contract transitioning 50 million cubic meters of LPG (liquid petroleum gas) at the Kazan Forum later this month. This would be aimed at markets in South and Southeast Asia.
Pakistan-Afghan Ties
Taliban’s relations with its southern neighbour are currently strained, as Islamabad accuses it of sheltering militants from Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It says its army had killed 54 fighters “trying to infiltrate” across the border on April 27. In fact, right after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, tensions have been high on both sides on the border issue.
Pakistan has deported some 100,000 Afghan refugees in recent weeks, accusing them of being linked to terrorism and drug smuggling. These tensions give an added security dynamic to India’s attempts to warm ties with Afghanistan, as it faces a stand-off with Pakistan following the deadly militant attack in Kashmir on April 22.
West’s View of Taliban
Western powers have been most strident in distancing themselves from the Taliban, following the withdrawal of their forces in 2021. They have also been the most outspoken in their criticism of the Taliban’s alleged human rights abuses.
But here, too, there’s movement. According to Khaama news agency, a British government report in March said it was pursuing a policy of “limited and pragmatic” engagement with Taliban officials via its embassy in Qatar.
The incoming German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has called for direct talks with the Taliban leadership to enable deportations of Afghans. A foreign policy spokesman for his Christian Democrats, Juergen Hardt, told RFE/RL in February, “the truth is that they are in power.”
US officials have already held direct talks. Last month, they were in Kabul to secure the release of Americans held there. In return, Washington lifted the bounties on three members of the Haqqani network, including the Taliban’s interior minister.
Developmental Work
In the meantime, the Taliban have brought a degree of stability to the economy, despite the hardships poor Afghans face, particularly women and children. Taliban’s track record regarding women has been poor so far; however, key indicators have turned around, with improvements in export volumes, government revenues and the strength of the national currency, the Afghani. The Afghani currency collapsed against the dollar right after the Taliban seized power, but the new authorities propped it up by banning transactions in foreign banknotes, among other measures, says Graeme Smith, a Senior Analyst with Brussels-based International Crisis Group, in one of his reports.
In addition to better management of customs and regular collection of taxes, the Taliban have also paid serious attention to the agriculture sector, because they know very well that agriculture forms the pillar of the country’s economy.
Taliban have augmented the use of 15 irrigation canals in Herat Valley and started the construction of six more canals in the area well-known for agriculture.
On the other hand, the Taliban have tried to create job opportunities in some areas, especially in the construction and agricultural sectors. Also, employing domestic labour in development projects has been one of their methods to reduce unemployment.
As per a report published by an Afghan website Tahilroz, Afghanistan has a high potential for economic growth with rich resources of minerals (such as lithium, copper, iron, etc.). To exploit these resources, the Taliban have started several internal contracts and even entered into some informal negotiations with foreign companies.
In the field of infrastructure, the Taliban have invested in the reconstruction and improvement of roads, bridges and communication routes. Due to the financial limitations, the Taliban have worked on small and manageable projects, and in some areas, they have also carried out reconstructions, which have had positive effects, especially for rural areas.
In the health sector, the Taliban have tried to improve health services by increasing access to health services and promoting prevention and vaccination programmes.
To gain more international acceptance, based on its strategic location and mineral resources, the Taliban must reconsider their policies and general positions and pay attention to the demands of the Afghan people. That way, they could consolidate their power base in the country.
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Asad Mirza is a New Delhi-based senior journalist and a media consultant. The views expressed here are the author’s personal and Clarion India does not necessarily share or subscribe to them. He can be contacted at asad.mirza.nd@gmail.com
