The Taliban’s ambassador to Russia, Gul Hassan Hassan, has claimed that following Russia’s recognition of the group, several other countries are also moving closer to formally recognising the Taliban and are seeking to expand their relations with the group.
Speaking at a public gathering in Muqur district of Ghazni province, he said that China and Central Asian countries are interested in strengthening ties with the Taliban and seeking cooperation in the economic, political, educational and healthcare sectors.
Hassan said the Taliban also seeks to expand its trade, political and diplomatic relations with the international community, stressing, however, that such relations must be based on mutual respect.
Reaffirming the Taliban’s beliefs and policies, he said the group would not abandon its ideology and that its members had fought in Afghanistan’s previous wars in accordance with their beliefs.
These remarks come as Russia remains the only country to have formally recognised the Taliban government in more than five years.
The international community has identified the formation of an inclusive government and the lifting of restrictions on women’s and girls’ education and employment as key conditions for recognising the Taliban. Human rights advocates have also stressed that any engagement with the Taliban must be based on protecting human rights and restoring the rights of women and girls.
Meanwhile, analysts say that the economic and trade relations some countries maintain with the Taliban are driven by practical necessities and do not, in themselves, amount to formal recognition of the group.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
