Taliban Seek Deeper Ties After Russia, India Back Engagement

The 33-page document focuses mainly on restricting migration, countering China, deterring Russia, and strengthening US homeland security. South Asia and the Middle East receive only brief references.

A review of earlier National Security Strategy papers shows that in 2010 Afghanistan was one of Washington’s top security priorities and, after Iraq, appeared most frequently in the text. Its prominence declined sharply in the 2017 and 2022 editions, and it was removed from the list of priority countries. In the 2025 version, Afghanistan has disappeared entirely.

In recent months, Trump repeatedly commented on the Bagram air base and suggested the need to “take it back”, remarks that triggered strong reactions from the Taliban and concern among regional states. Despite those earlier statements, the president has remained silent on Bagram for nearly two months, and the new strategy assigns no role or priority to Afghanistan.

The National Security Strategy, issued by each US administration, outlines the government’s vision for protecting national security, its political and military priorities, major threats, and its approach to global engagement.

The decision was made during a meeting in Samangan attended by Taliban governors from northwestern provinces and senior security officials.

The spokesperson for the Taliban governor in Balkh said in a statement on Friday that the meeting was held in Aybak with the participation of provincial governors, police commanders, intelligence chiefs, the deputy commander of the Taliban’s 209th Corps, and the head of the military court in Balkh. According to the spokesperson, the new unit will be able to deploy quickly to border areas whenever required.

The announcement comes days after two attacks launched from inside Afghanistan toward Tajikistan killed five people, including three Chinese nationals, and wounded five others. On Friday, 28 November, the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks and said the administration was fully prepared to help secure the border and conduct a joint investigation.

Earlier this year, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) voiced concern over instability in Afghanistan and the growing threats emanating from the country’s northern provinces. The bloc stressed the need for a targeted intergovernmental programme to reinforce Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan.

According to information from the CSTO, the border-strengthening initiative is scheduled to begin in 2025 and will be implemented in three phases over five years.

The three-day meeting, held from 3 to 5 December and hosted by Independent Diplomat and the European Foundation for Democracy, brought together representatives of Afghan opposition groups, EU member states, and officials from European institutions. Sources told Afghanistan International that members of the Afghanistan Freedom Front, the National Resistance Front, women’s groups, and civil society activists were among the attendees.

According to the report, the organisers hope the launch of what they called an “important political dialogue” will help generate solutions to Afghanistan’s political, security, and humanitarian crises. The magazine wrote that the “Taliban regime” has become an increasing threat not only to regional security but also to global and European security, citing widespread human rights violations, political repression, and the spread of extremism.

The two organisations did not release detailed information about the participants or discussions. Independent Diplomat, a non-profit entity, provides marginalised groups with access to political processes and high-level diplomatic engagement. The European Foundation for Democracy focuses on countering violent extremism and promoting democracy, human rights, and pluralism.

The report said the Brussels conference stressed the need for the Taliban to sever ties with terrorist groups and ensure such organisations do not operate inside Afghanistan. It also called for the “unconditional release of all foreign nationals” held in Taliban prisons. These measures were described as essential for restoring stability and legitimacy and for moving Afghanistan towards a representative political system.

According to South Asia Journal, participants argued that the Taliban’s “harsh and misguided policies” have forced millions of Afghans to flee, destabilised neighbouring regions, and placed a heavy burden on countries across the region and in Europe. The magazine said the Taliban have failed to curb cross-border militant groups, increasing instability and heightening tensions with neighbours.

The report also noted growing European concern over developments in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently said he had brief

Hanafi said the Taliban had “no problems” with European countries and sought engagement based on mutual respect.

According to the Taliban’s administrative office, Hanafi met on Friday with Andreas Papaconstantinou, the EU’s Director of Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, and Veronika Boscovic, the EU chargé d’affaires. He expressed appreciation for the humanitarian support EU member states have provided to Afghans over the past four years.

The Taliban said Papaconstantinou reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to assisting the Afghan people, stressing that the union operates independently and aims to accurately assess needs and deliver effective aid. He said the EU has programmes focused on youth employment and support for returning migrants, along with efforts to mobilise additional humanitarian assistance.

Throughout the Taliban’s rule, the European Union has remained one of the primary supporters of vulnerable communities in Afghanistan. In addition to emergency aid, the EU has backed programmes aimed at developing skills and strengthening women-led businesses.

On Monday, the EU announced a contribution of €4.7 million towards economic empowerment through skills training and literacy programmes in Afghanistan. Implemented in cooperation with UNESCO, the initiative will support more than 7,000 people including returning migrants across five provinces.

At a press briefing, Andrabi declined to discuss details of the recent Pakistan–Taliban talks in Saudi Arabia but said the closures were driven solely by security concerns. He stressed that Islamabad has no dispute with the people of Afghanistan and has kept the border open for humanitarian aid, reflecting what he described as Pakistan’s “positive approach” toward Afghans.

He said the border would stay shut “until we receive credible assurances that terrorists or violent elements will not be allowed to cross into Pakistan.”

According to Geo News, when asked about the discussions in Saudi Arabia, Andrabi referred to Türkiye’s efforts to ease tensions and suggested that a Turkish delegation had not yet travelled to Pakistan due to insufficient cooperation from the Taliban.

He also discussed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, saying both leaders expressed support for the Afghan people and urged the Taliban to honour their international commitments.

Islamabad maintains that militants based in Afghanistan are carrying out attacks in Pakistan and says the Taliban have not responded effectively to repeated requests to act against them. The Taliban reject the accusations.

On Thursday, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said trade routes between the two countries would reopen only when Pakistan guarantees that border crossings will not be used as tools of political or economic pressure. He added that Taliban is capable of meeting its needs through other countries.