KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban released a statement on Friday claiming that Robert Dickson, the U.K. chargé d’affaires for Afghanistan, assured them that Britain would not permit activities by anti-Taliban groups within its borders.
According to the statement, Abdul Kabir, the Taliban’s deputy prime minister, met with Dickson in Kabul on Thursday evening.
The Taliban quoted Dickson as stating that Britain would continue its cooperation in areas such as humanitarian aid and climate initiatives. The British diplomat also reportedly described the Taliban’s recent participation in the third Doha meeting as “valuable,” according to the Taliban’s account.
While the Taliban’s statement provided few details about additional bilateral discussions, it mentioned that Dickson proposed holding further meetings on issues requiring joint deliberation.
Taliban claimed that Britain was working to open pathways for improved relations between their administration and the international community.
Neither Dickson nor the British Embassy has commented on the reported meeting.
During the conversation, Taliban said that Kabir asserted that they are “fully committed” to upholding human rights in Afghanistan and adhering to their stated obligations.
Britain, however, remains one of the most outspoken critics of Taliban policies, particularly concerning women’s rights. British representatives at the United Nations have frequently condemned the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls, including the ongoing ban on girls’ education.
