The Taliban-run Foreign Ministry announced the appointment of Fazal Mohammad Sabir as their charge d’affaires at Afghanistan’s embassy in Turkmenistan.
Zia Ahmad Takal, Taliban’s deputy spokesperson for the foreign ministry, said that Sabir was received by Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov.
Meredov noted that work on the TAPI Pipeline Project, TAP, and the Torghondi-Herat railway would begin soon, according to Takal. Despite the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, no country has formally recognized their government.
Hamidullah Fitrat, the Taliban’s deputy spokesperson, expressed optimism about the diplomatic efforts between the two countries, hoping that projects like TAPI, TAP, and the railway would commence shortly.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan reported that its foreign minister discussed energy programs, transportation, infrastructure, and economic issues with Taliban diplomats. Turkmenistan has maintained an economic-focused relationship with Afghanistan, even before the Taliban’s takeover, and has continued high-level delegations to Kabul for economic purposes.
“The current changes do not mean the recognition of the Taliban. Many countries have started changes to pursue their own economic and trade activities,” said Rahmatullah Bejanpoor, a political analyst. Notably, Tajikistan is the only country in the region that has refrained from engaging with the Taliban.
The Taliban claims to control most of Afghanistan’s political missions in the region. Women’s rights activists argue that regional engagement with the Taliban is an attempt to normalize relations despite widespread human rights violations.
About five months ago, the Taliban’s deputy political head stated they had 17 missions outside the country; last week, he revealed they now have 38 missions. However, the Taliban officials continue to push for international recognition, emphasizing the need for an inclusive government, preventing Afghanistan’s territory from being a threat to others, and respecting human rights as key factors for recognition.
The Russian ambassador in Kabul recently mentioned that Russia would consider its own interests regarding the removal of the Taliban from terrorist organization lists and their formal recognition.
