KABUL, Afghanistan — Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, said Tuesday that his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates resulted in agreements to boost trade and consular services, upgrade Afghanistan’s consulate in Dubai and streamline visa services for Afghans in India.
Speaking at a meeting in Kabul, Muttaqi said the UAE has agreed to upgrade Afghanistan’s consulate in Dubai to a general consulate, reflecting a deepening of diplomatic engagement.
He added that both sides reached an agreement to establish a logistics center in the UAE for Afghan goods, which he described as a step to bolster Afghanistan’s trade presence in the region.
Muttaqi also revealed plans for forming a joint committee to streamline visa issuance for Afghan nationals residing in the UAE. Additionally, he stated that the two nations agreed to initiate collaboration between their banking sectors to improve financial ties.
The UAE also pledged to provide training for Afghan youth in aviation, according to Muttaqi, as part of efforts to build technical capacity within the country. He further disclosed that the UAE is set to provide Afghanistan with $400 million in aid in 2025.
During his remarks, Muttaqi mentioned discussions with India’s deputy foreign minister during his trip. Topics included facilitating visa issuance for Afghan citizens and enhancing diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Muttaqi’s visit to the UAE comes despite his inclusion on the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions list.
