A Taliban fighter stands guard as Afghan people attend Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 21, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)
The Afghanistan caretaker government’s pursuit of positive relations with the international community constitutes an encouraging signal to the outside world, according to experts and diplomats.
“As Afghanistan navigates its path forward, the call for constructive engagement underscores the importance of diplomacy and cooperation in addressing the complex challenges facing the region,” said Imran Khalid, an international affairs commentator based in Karachi, Pakistan.
He described it as a positive move by Afghanistan’s interim Taliban government.
The Taliban have been “calling on the international community to help the Afghans obtain external assistance, investment, and diplomatic support, all of which are crucial for the reconstruction of the country’s infrastructure and economy, as the country is gripped by a massive economic crisis”, said Khalid Taimur Akram, executive director of the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future in Islamabad.
Afghanistan's Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi noted that all of the participants in the conference emphasized that a peaceful and progressive Afghanistan is in the interests of the region, noting the role of Afghanistan in linking Central Asia to South Asia
In a recent address to a regional conference in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, the country’s Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi stressed Afghanistan's positive engagement and good relations with different nations.
READ MORE: Afghanistan expects to 'achieve self-sufficiency' within 3 years
"We are calling upon the world community, upon all countries, far-flung countries to have positive relations with Afghanistan," Muttaqi told the press after wrapping up the event titled "Afghanistan's Regional Cooperation Initiative" on Jan 29.
On the same day, China’s special envoy on Afghan affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yue Xiaoyong, upon invitation, visited Afghanistan collectively with representatives of Russia, Iran and Pakistan on the Afghan issue, met with Muttaqi and other senior officials of the Afghan Interim Government, and attended the meeting.
Muttaqi noted that all of the participants in the conference emphasized that a peaceful and progressive Afghanistan is in the interests of the region, noting the role of Afghanistan in linking Central Asia to South Asia. They also agreed to cooperate on implementing major development projects, Muttaqi added.
ALSO READ: Prudence urged in dealings with Taliban
War-torn Afghanistan has been facing harsh economic problems following the withdrawal of US-led forces from the country in August 2021, while assets of the Afghan central bank worth more than $9 billion are being held in US banks.
Late last year, Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi said that the administration is looking forward to achieving self-sufficiency within the next three years.
Afghanistan's Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi speaks during a conference of special envoys from different countries titled "Afghanistan's Regional Cooperation Initiative" at the Foreign Ministry in Kabul on Jan 29, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)
We hope that the international community will step up engagement and exchange with the Afghan interim government, encourage it to actively respond to international concerns, jointly help with Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development...
Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson
"We are going towards self-sufficiency and will achieve the goal within the next three years. We will improve our trade relations as well," the Tolonews television channel quoted Azizi as saying.
"We had exports to approximately more than 60 countries. It is a fact that we have our major exports to India, Pakistan, and China. We are trying to target Central Asia and Russia from now on," Azizi said in a panel debate arranged by Tolonews.
On Jan 31, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China’s policy on Afghanistan is consistent and clear. As a traditionally friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, China is committed to a foreign policy of friendship toward all Afghan people and has maintained diplomatic ties, exchanges and cooperation in various areas with Afghanistan.
ALSO READ: China asks UN chief for caution in appointing Afghan envoy
“We hope that the international community will step up engagement and exchange with the Afghan interim government, encourage it to actively respond to international concerns, jointly help with Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development, and support Afghanistan’s effort to combat violent terrorist forces and contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity,” he said.
At the United Nations Security Council briefing on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in late December, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Geng Shuang also underlined the importance of enhancing engagement with the Afghan authorities.
"As is pointed out in the independent assessment on Afghanistan, the international community should get a clearer picture of the political reality in the country, prioritize the interests of the Afghan people, and maintain engagement with the country," Geng said.
READ MORE: China calls on UNSC to adjust Afghanistan sanctions
According to Akram, 2021 saw a remarkable resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, causing a seismic shift in global politics.
The Taliban’s re-emergence “not only caught the attention of the world but also presented a tangled web of diplomatic obstacles, particularly in their dealings with Western countries,” Akram said.
“As the Taliban worked towards establishing their rule, a tangible sense of detachment surrounded them on the international platform,” he added.
Akram said Western nations, known for promoting liberal democracy and individual liberties, were hesitant to acknowledge a government based on the Taliban’s conservative, fundamentalist values.
In contrast, China’s engagement with the caretaker government has been hailed by regional analysts.
Khalid, the commentator from Karachi, noted China's acknowledgment of the evolving political landscape in Afghanistan and its willingness to engage with the new administration in Kabul.
READ MORE: Chinese envoy urges help for Afghans in humanitarian crisis
“In a region fraught with geopolitical tensions and security challenges, China's diplomatic move underscores a pragmatic approach aimed at fostering regional stability and engagement,” he said.
“By extending recognition to the Taliban-led government, Beijing emphasizes the importance of constructive dialogue and cooperation to address both existing and potential threats in the region.”
Xinhua contributed to the story.
