Regional Envoys To Meet In Moscow Amid Debate Over Bagram Air Base

Semyon Grigoriev, Russia’s ambassador to Tajikistan, told local media that the situation in Afghanistan remains a “top priority” for both Moscow and Dushanbe.

“The issue of Afghanistan is of great importance for both sides,” Grigoryev said. “We attach particular significance to strengthening coordination with our Tajik partners on Afghanistan, both bilaterally and within key organisations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.”

He said Russian and Tajik security agencies maintain close cooperation on regional threats, while the two countries’ defence ministries are discussing efforts to boost the capacity of Russia’s 201st military base in Tajikistan and modernise Tajikistan’s armed forces with Russian assistance.

Grigoriev described the 201st base as a cornerstone of regional security, calling it “a crucial element of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation’s military infrastructure along the southern borders.”

Located near Dushanbe, the 201st base is Russia’s largest military installation outside its territory.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the base has expanded its military exercises and upgraded its equipment.

Earlier, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu warned that more than 23,000 fighters from international terrorist groups are now based in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a development he said poses a “serious threat to regional and global security.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday the discussions also addressed defence cooperation and the CASA-1000 electricity transmission project, which runs through Afghanistan.

The delegations further explored ways to expand trade, deepen political cooperation, and boost collaboration in agriculture and education.

According to Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry, the meeting was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Farukh Sharifzoda for Tajikistan and Deputy Foreign Minister Syed Asad Ali Gillani for Pakistan.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing strategic cooperation, while also voicing concern over Afghanistan’s deteriorating security situation.

Islamabad and Dushanbe have repeatedly warned that the presence of militant groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Ansarullah, in Afghanistan poses a serious threat to regional stability.

The mechanism was triggered by France, Germany and the United Kingdom, which accused Tehran of violating the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran has denied pursuing nuclear weapons and insists its programme is peaceful.

Under the terms of the resolution, the Security Council failed to adopt a new measure to extend the suspension of sanctions, resulting in their automatic reimposition without a fresh vote.

The sanctions cover Iran’s economic and military sectors. They impose a blanket ban on arms exports and imports, from light weapons to missile systems and related technologies. Ballistic missile activities including testing, production and research and development are also prohibited.

Financial restrictions include the freezing of assets belonging to key Iranian institutions abroad, along with strict limits on money transfers and foreign investment. Oil, gas and petrochemical exports are again targeted, and investment in Iran’s energy sector is banned.

Dozens of Iranian officials and entities, including senior figures in the Revolutionary Guard, the Ministry of Defence and the Atomic Energy Organisation, have been restored to the Security Council’s sanctions list.

On Friday, a Russian and Chinese draft resolution seeking to delay the sanctions failed in the Council. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later described the sanctions as “illegal” during a UN meeting.

Tehran has repeatedly warned that it would suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency if the snapback mechanism were activated.

The visit would mark a significant step, as Germany has had no formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban since the group seized power in August 2021. Germany closed its embassy in Kabul following the collapse of the former Afghan government.

According to Bild, the delegation is expected to discuss carrying out deportations of Afghan migrants convicted of crimes using commercial flights rather than chartered planes. A ministry spokesperson confirmed the planned trip but declined to provide details on who would take part.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has pressed for the return of Afghan nationals convicted of crimes. In the past, Germany deported dozens of Afghans to Kabul with Qatari mediation, while allowing two Taliban representatives to visit Berlin in exchange. It remains unclear what concessions the Taliban may demand in return for a potential new agreement.

The push has sparked heavy criticism from opposition parties. The Greens condemned the talks, with domestic policy spokesman Marcel Emmerich accusing the government of “fawning over a terrorist group” and breaking a diplomatic taboo. He said the Taliban “tortures, stones, suppresses women and tramples human rights,” and warned that opening dialogue with the group undermines Germany’s values.

Dobrindt has countered that the previous German government also held talks with the Taliban on deportations.

Plans to Resume Deportations to Syria

The interior minister also intends to restart deportations to Syria by the end of the year. He said an agreement with Damascus is expected that would initially allow the return of convicted criminals, followed later by individuals without residence rights.

Dobrindt argued that Germany must distinguish between Syrian migrants who are integrated and working and those receiving social benefits without valid asylum claims. He has instructed the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees to resume processing certain pending asylum cases so that rejected applicants can be deported.

Speaking at a quadrilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and Russia and China’s special envoy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Abbas Araghchi said Iran rejects foreign political or military intervention in Afghanistan and any attempt to use the country’s problems for geopolitical purposes.

Araghchi criticised the two-decade US presence in Afghanistan, saying it brought only misery, insecurity, terrorism, narcotics, corruption, poverty and displacement. He described the 2021 withdrawal of US forces as a “humiliating retreat” and said Washington and NATO remain responsible for many of Afghanistan’s current challenges.

He warned that any renewed establishment of foreign military bases in or around Afghanistan would violate the country’s sovereignty, fuel extremism, and undermine fragile regional stability.

Araghchi also voiced concern over Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian conditions and the activities of terrorist groups in the country. He urged the Taliban to take transparent, verifiable and decisive measures against militant groups, saying counterterrorism must be comprehensive, non-discriminatory and consistent with international law.

His remarks come as the United States explores regaining access to Bagram air base. US President Donald Trump has warned the Taliban that failure to agree would carry serious consequences.