A senior Taliban delegation, led by Taliban’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, departed Kabul for the United Arab Emirates on Monday on what the ministry described as an “official visit.”
According to Zia Ahmad Takal, a Taliban spokesman for the foreign affairs ministry, the visit aims to strengthen “bilateral relations and cooperation” between the two countries.
“The delegation is scheduled to meet with senior Emirati officials to discuss trade, joint investment, and economic cooperation,” the statement read.
Muttaqi’s visit comes despite his inclusion on the United Nations travel ban list, raising questions about international engagement with the Taliban.
The trip has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates, who have condemned regional countries for engaging with the Taliban while it continues to impose severe restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan.
Human rights defenders have repeatedly urged the global community to prioritize the protection of women’s rights and human rights in any negotiations with the Taliban. Critics argue that engaging with the group without addressing its rights record risks legitimizing its policies, including bans on women’s education, employment, and public participation.
The UAE has yet to release a statement on the visit, which comes at a time of increasing scrutiny over how countries in the region interact with the Taliban.
