Taliban seek economic support and recognition from India ahead of Kazan meeting under Moscow format

Taliban call on India to support economic recovery of Afghanistan ahead of Moscow format talks in Kazan. India has refused to recognise Taliban's "Islamic Emirate" and is yet to decide on sending representatives. China has sent a new Ambassador to Kabul, deepening diplomatic engagement with Taliban. India has maintained a "technical team" in Kabul and trade ties remain strong.

Ahead of the Moscow format discussion at Kazan in Russia, the Taliban have called upon India to help in the economic recovery of Afghanistan. 

The discussion scheduled to be held on September 29 is significant from the regional point of view as this is the first such meeting after China increased engagement with the Taliban and sent a new Ambassador to Kabul earlier this month.

“We want positive traditional relations with India as it has been the case for decades but we expect her to support our cause for economic stability and recognition,” Suhail Shaheen, head of the Political Office of the Taliban administration of Kabul, said.

In a written response to a question from The Hindu, Mr. Shaheen referred to the Taliban government as the “Islamic Emirate”, which he claimed “has the support of the Afghan people”. 

He said a Taliban delegation led by ‘Foreign Minister’ Amir Khan Muttaqi had reached Moscow where they were holding discussion with Kremlin officials. The delegation will then head to Kazan.

The upcoming meeting is significant as it is being held in the backdrop of growing engagement between Kabul under the Taliban and Moscow and Beijing. The Taliban had refused to participate in the previous round of Moscow format talks in November 2022. India has refused to recognise the Taliban’s “Islamic Emirate” urging its leaders to respect human rights, and ensure protection of minority communities. During the same time, the Taliban’s diplomatic engagement has deepened with Russia, China, Pakistan and Turkmenistan though no country has so far accepted a full-fledged Ambassador from Kabul under the current circumstances.

It was earlier reported that India will send representatives for the Kazan meeting. The External Affairs Ministry did not respond to queries from The Hindu till the time of publication of this report.