The Taliban’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said the group is keen to strengthen relations with India and expressed hope that it would reopen its embassy in Kabul, for which he vowed to pay “special attention” to “ensure its safety.”
In an exclusive interview with CNN-News 18, the Taliban official made a play to expand and resume economic, political, and diplomatic ties with India, noting that several other countries have reopened their embassies in Kabul. He remarked that these countries have been provided security and are guaranteed the Taliban’s “full cooperation.” He added the group has sent its own diplomats to several countries, including India, where they have functional diplomatic missions.
To this end, Muttaqi said he wishes to foster “positive” international relations, particularly with neighbouring countries, despite being a “weak economy.” To this end, he said that the Taliban desires “normal relations” even with the West, and revealed that there has been some “some headway” in this regard.
Interview of Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Muttaqi with @CNNnews18https://t.co/zum2QEudAy
— Abdul Qahar Balkhi (@QaharBalkhi) May 31, 2022
In fact, he said that while no country has officially recognised the Taliban diplomatic engagements with several countries is “going on as though [the] government has been recognised.” He added that apart from embassies, countries have also sent officials to run charitable organisations and economic projects.
When asked about the nature of support and humanitarian aid needed from India, Muttaqi said that Afghanistan is ready to welcome investment and economic projects, those that have been left incomplete since the Taliban’s takeover. In particular, he urged the Indian government to restart its electricity and hydroelectric projects.
Muttaqi also urged the Indian government to restart air routes to Afghanistan for medical and business travellers.
He added that export and import of fresh fruits and dry fruits should be prioritised to expand trade relations and support Afghanistan’s agriculture industry. He also expressed gratitude to India for delivering aid, including wheat and essential medicines.
Also Read: Does the Delivery of Aid to Afghanistan Inherently Legitimise the Taliban?
The foreign minister also addressed concerns about the use of trade channels to smuggle narcotics, saying the blame lies with the United States (US), claiming that Afghanistan did not have any narcotics production before the US’ military intervention in 2001. In this regard, Muttaqi noted that the Taliban has declared a ban on the cultivation of opium poppy and will get rid of “old stocks.”
When probed about the Taliban’s position on the India-Pakistan conflict and the growing threat posed by the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad in Kashmir, he said that the Taliban is opposed to any conflict that could harm the entire region, including Afghanistan. He also vowed that the Taliban would not allow any terror group to operate from Afghan soil.
In the past, the Taliban has gone back and forth on its position on the India-Pakistan conflict. Last year, top Taliban leader Anas Haqqani stressed that the group had no intention of addressing the issue in Kashmir as it was against its position of interference. However, spokesperson Suhail Shaheen later said the Taliban reserves the right to raise its voice for Muslims in Kashmir.
Also Read: How Flexible Is China Willing to Be In Its Relationship With the Taliban?
During the CNN-News 18 interview, Muttaqi also addressed concerns about the various restrictions placed on the rights and freedoms of women, especially on their education and ability to work. He said that the dismal picture was being painted by the “western media” and their “propaganda.”
“However, the truth is that since the past nine months, there has not been a single incident where it has been heard that hundreds of women have either self-immolated or committed suicide,” he noted. Moreover, he highlighted that there is not a single woman in jail.
He attributed the setback to girls’ education to the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming that 85-90% of classes have restarted and that woman are even “receiving” and “imparting” education in universities.
He further addressed international concerns about the inclusion of minority communities and officials from the previous government. He said that the has Taliban welcomed everyone back to Afghanistan and invited members of minority communities and previous government to “come back and resume their lives.” Muttaqi also said that the government had created a commission of ministers who are working to facilitate this.