MUSCAT, Oman — Oman’s Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, on Monday met with the Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to discuss “strengthening political and economic cooperation”, according to a statement from Oman’s foreign ministry.
The two sides recalled the longstanding ties between their nations and emphasized their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation. They agreed to boost trade and investment, particularly in food security and other key sectors, and to exchange expertise through education and training programs, the statement said.
According to the statement, Albusaidi reaffirmed Oman’s support for Afghanistan’s integration into the international community, saying such efforts would help the country play a more constructive role regionally and globally.
Muttaqi, in turn, praised Oman’s diplomatic approach, highlighting its policy of non-interference and commitment to regional stability. He described the meeting as an opportunity to open “new horizons” for cooperation between the two countries.
The Taliban’s foreign ministry also issued a statement on the meeting, saying both sides had expressed a desire to strengthen ties. Muttaqi encouraged Omani investors to explore opportunities in Afghanistan, while Oman’s foreign minister emphasized his country’s interest in expanding economic and political engagement.
Taliban added that Muttaqi discussed potential future meetings between the two foreign ministries.
Muttaqi’s visit to Oman comes despite his inclusion on the United Nations Security Council’s travel ban list. The U.N. sanctions committee has previously granted exemptions to senior Taliban officials, including Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Sirajuddin Haqqani, to allow for diplomatic travel. However, it has not confirmed whether Muttaqi received similar authorization for this trip.
The easing of travel restrictions for Taliban officials has faced criticism from human rights groups, who argue that engaging with the regime legitimizes its policies, particularly its widespread restrictions on women and minorities.
