Khalilzad Urges Taliban to Engage in Talks with US for Afghanistan’s Future

DID Press: Former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said the Taliban must engage in dialogue with Washington to ensure sustainable development and protect the country’s national interests.

Khalilzad said his recent trips to Kabul to meet Taliban officials were “personal” and not part of any official mission. Discussions reportedly focused on the release of American detainees and travel exemptions for certain sanctioned Taliban leaders.

The United States retains the right to monitor Afghanistan’s airspace for its own security, although the country is no longer Washington’s top priority, he underlined.

Highlighting his central role in the Doha Agreement, Khalilzad noted that Taliban have made economic progress but have failed to uphold women’s rights in education, work, and social participation.

He underlined the importance of establishing an electoral and legal framework in Afghanistan, asserting that the country’s future should not rest solely with the Taliban and religious leaders, but involve broader participation through elections and councils.

Khalilzad concluded that meaningful engagement with the United States is essential for the Taliban to achieve sustainable development and national interests. He also commented on Taliban-Pakistan relations, describing Islamabad’s policies as still unclear, while noting recent Taliban approaches toward Pakistan as “reasonable” and positively received.