Following Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India, the Taliban leadership is intensifying outreach to Russia and China to secure economic aid, political legitimacy, and strategic partnerships.
The diplomatic push comes amid rising tensions at Afghanistan’s borders, Pakistan’s shifting stance, and internal economic challenges. Officials hope to diversify partnerships and reduce dependency on a single nation.
This week, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar Akhund hosted representatives of several Russian companies expressing interest in Afghanistan’s energy and mining sectors, including oil exploration, copper and chromite mining, water management, electricity production, and technical machinery manufacturing.
The Russian firms also plan to establish permanent offices in Kabul to coordinate directly with Afghan authorities, highlighting Moscow’s blend of economic ambition and strategic caution.
China Strengthens Bilateral Ties
Simultaneously, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Finance and Administration Mohammad Naeem met with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Xing to discuss enhancing bilateral relations. Beijing reaffirmed that issues should be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding.
China’s interests focus on integrating Afghanistan into its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), securing access to lithium and other minerals, advancing infrastructure projects, and leveraging Kabul as a regional security buffer against Uyghur separatist groups.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Afghanistan has remained a geopolitical fulcrum in Central and South Asia, attracting attention from Moscow, Beijing, and New Delhi. Russia seeks to counter Western influence and maintain strategic relevance, while China aims to strengthen regional security and economic integration.
India, with a long-standing presence in Afghan infrastructure projects such as the Salma Dam and Parliament building, continues to provide humanitarian assistance. Growing trust and resumed dialogue may lead to limited trade and development cooperation in the future.
By engaging all three powers, the Taliban aims to secure investment, aid, and international legitimacy, while maintaining autonomy in governance and reducing reliance on any single external actor.
The outreach underscores Kabul’s strategy of leveraging regional powers to navigate economic challenges and geopolitical pressures.
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