Russia Expands Ties with Taliban Despite Lack of Intl. Recognition

DID Press: Kremlin has announced that Russia is advancing and expanding its cooperation with Afghanistan, despite the Taliban’s government in Kabul remaining unrecognized internationally. Areas of focus include agriculture, livestock, and water resource management.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Indian media in a press briefing that Russia considers engagement with Kabul necessary due to Afghanistan’s geopolitical importance, its historical ties with the former Soviet Union, and the presence of Russian border personnel.

“Russia continues to develop and strengthen its relations with Afghanistan,” Peskov said, “even though the Taliban is not officially recognized as a government at the international level.”

In this context, Attaullah Amri, acting Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock of the Taliban government, traveled to Moscow on Saturday, (Nov. 29), to meet with Russia’s Minister of Agriculture. The two sides discussed expanding sustainable and practical cooperation in agriculture, livestock management, and water resource development.

The visit comes as Afghanistan seeks new markets for agricultural products and aims to adopt modern agricultural technologies. Russia, alongside China and Iran, is one of the most active foreign partners in Afghanistan’s mining sector and has signed major contracts with the Taliban administration.

According to official statements, Russia remains the only country to have formally recognized the Taliban government and established diplomatic relations with it.