Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the elimination of terrorism and drug trafficking remains essential to rebuilding Afghanistan as a stable, independent and peaceful state, in remarks following a high-level regional summit.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting of foreign ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Lavrov emphasized that regional security — with a special focus on Afghanistan — had been a central theme of the discussions.
“We share a common understanding of the importance of supporting Afghanistan’s reconstruction and ensuring its sustainable development as an independent, neutral, and peaceful state, free from terrorism and drug trafficking. It was underscored that fostering a process of national consensus and ensuring ethnic and political inclusivity in government structures remain key priorities,” Lavrov said.
The summit, held in Tianjin, comes amid growing engagement between SCO member states and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban government. According to Lavrov, nearly all SCO countries are deepening their bilateral ties with Kabul despite widespread international concerns over political inclusivity and human rights under Taliban rule.
Lavrov also underscored the need for a nationally inclusive government in Afghanistan, one that reflects the country’s ethnic and political diversity. He said advancing national reconciliation and guaranteeing ethnic and political participation remain “core priorities” for the region.
The foreign ministers’ meeting marked the final preparatory stage ahead of the upcoming SCO leaders’ summit, expected to take place in Tianjin in late August or early September.
Lavrov noted that China’s “Belt and Road Initiative,” which includes Afghanistan, was also on the agenda during the discussions.
The SCO — which includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan and several Central Asian nations — has increasingly focused on security, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity. Afghanistan, while not a full member, remains a point of concern for the bloc, particularly in the context of counterterrorism and transnational crime.
