The foreign minister of Afghan’s interim administration was in Russia for the first time to attend the Moscow Format talks along with the top diplomats from neighbouring countries today, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq held separate meetings with senior Chinese and Russian diplomats to discuss regional security, counterterrorism, and cooperation on Afghanistan on Monday.
In a post on X, Sadiq said he met with China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Yu Xiaoyong to exchange views on regional stability, human rights, and joint efforts to counter terrorism. Both sides emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development in Afghanistan.
Sadiq said the discussions reaffirmed Pakistan and China’s “strong partnership” in facing shared challenges, including extremism and economic recovery, while underscoring their mutual goal of long-term regional stability.
The Pakistani envoy also met with Russia’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, ahead of the upcoming Moscow Format talks on Afghanistan. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kabul, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizami, also attended the meeting, which focused on strengthening regional coordination and collective engagement on Afghanistan affairs.
Since the Taliban seized power in 2021, Afghanistan has been grappling with a deteriorating security, political, and humanitarian situation. Armed group activity, terrorism, economic collapse, and a worsening refugee crisis have fuelled concerns among neighbouring states and global powers alike.
Meanwhile, the foreign minister of Afghan’s interim administration is in Russia for the first time to attend the Moscow Format talks today. Amir Khan Muttaqi is visiting Russia at the official invitation of the Russian Federation, interim Foreign Ministry spokesman Hafiz Zia Ahmad said on US social media company X.
Muttaqi will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the seventh meeting of the Moscow Format of Consultations on Afghanistan. The talks will focus on current bilateral cooperation and regional stability.
The broader Moscow meeting, chaired by Lavrov, will bring together representatives from Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, with Belarus attending as a guest.
Discussions will centre on Afghan national reconciliation, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation, with a joint statement expected after the session.
The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 after the withdrawal of US-led forces ended a two-decade war.
In July, Russia recognized the Taliban administration as the official government of Afghanistan, making it the first country to do so.
Reporter Anwer Abbas/Agencies