Five years after return, Afghan Taliban government builds diplomacy
Only Russia officially recognizes the Taliban government, with many Western countries demanding domestic reforms on human rights before considering doing the same.
Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi addresses a press conference at the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi on Oct. 12, 2025. Taliban authorities have been busy with a foreign policy drive throughout their five years in power, steadily building international ties from Afghanistan despite multiple constraints. | AFP-JIJI
Aug 11, 2026
Kabul – Five years after returning to power, Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have built working relationships with a slate of countries, despite a lack of formal recognition.
Russia remains the only nation to officially recognize the Taliban government, and many Western countries have demanded to see domestic reforms on human rights before considering doing the same.
But many states are nevertheless engaging with Afghanistan’s leaders — including Britain and European Union members — driven largely by practical considerations.
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