KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, met on Sunday with Faisal Talq al-Baqmi, Saudi Arabia’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul, to discuss bilateral relations, according to a statement from the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two officials emphasized strengthening ties between the two nations and providing improved consular services for Afghan citizens residing in Saudi Arabia, the statement said.
During the meeting, Muttaqi urged greater exchange of delegations between Kabul and Riyadh and called for an increase in Saudi Arabia’s quota for Afghan pilgrims traveling for Hajj and Umrah. He also requested expanded consular services for Afghans living in the kingdom.
The Saudi envoy reportedly described the relationship between the two countries as “historic and deep,” reaffirming his government’s commitment to supporting the Afghan people in various fields.
“The goal of maintaining the Saudi Embassy’s operations in Kabul is to leverage existing opportunities and broaden mutual cooperation,” al-Baqmi was quoted as saying.
The meeting followed a visit last week by a Taliban delegation led by Muttaqi to Riyadh.
The Saudi diplomatic mission in Kabul has not issued a statement regarding the meeting.
