Tajik Delegation Holds Talks With Taliban Foreign Minister In Kabul

The Taliban’s Foreign Ministry says a high-level Tajik delegation has met with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul.

According to a ministry statement issued on Monday, the two sides discussed strengthening ties across multiple areas, with a particular focus on diplomatic relations and economic cooperation.

The ministry said Muttaqi highlighted what he described as the longstanding and historic relationship between Afghanistan and Tajikistan, adding that the Taliban seeks to expand friendly relations with Dushanbe. He said relations were improving in several sectors and expressed hope for further progress in the near future.

The statement noted that the Tajik delegation, comprising senior security and foreign ministry officials, conveyed Tajikistan’s commitment to deepening cooperation and emphasised the potential for broader collaboration.

The visit is seen as unusually high-profile given Tajikistan’s limited engagement with the Taliban in recent years. Earlier, Yusuf Wafa, the Taliban-appointed governor of Balkh and a figure close to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, travelled to Dushanbe at Tajikistan’s invitation, where he requested the transfer of Afghanistan’s embassy to Taliban control.

The Taliban did not clarify whether the embassy issue was discussed during the Kabul meeting.

Tajikistan is among the Central Asian states that have maintained minimal diplomatic contact with the Taliban since 2021. Afghanistan’s embassy in Dushanbe remains under the control of representatives of the previous Afghan government and is currently headed by Zahir Aghbar, a known opponent of the Taliban. Tajikistan also continues to host figures aligned with the National Resistance Front. By contrast, the Afghan consulate in Khorog operates directly under the Taliban Foreign Ministry.

The statement said both sides agreed on the importance of continuing such meetings and exchanges in the future.