When Kabul fell to the Afghan Taliban in August 2021 without firing a single shot, there was a near-international consensus among the big powers as well as regional players on the future of Afghanistan.
All major powers, including the US, China, Russia, and regional players such as Pakistan, Iran, and others, agreed the Taliban had to fulfil certain conditions before their de facto government was recognised.
Those conditions included forming an inclusive government, respecting women’s and human rights, and not allowing Afghan soil to be used again by terrorist groups.
Pakistan was one of only three countries that recognised the Taliban’s first rule from 1996 to 2001, but this time it aligned with the international consensus on the question of recognition.
The understanding among the major players and stakeholders remained in place for a good two years before the international consensus started falling apart.
The first sign of rupture came in March when China accepted the full-time ambassador appointed by the Taliban regime. Though Beijing never officially recognised the Taliban government, its move to accept a full-time ambassador was seen as tacit recognition.
Now, another major power and stakeholder in Afghanistan is inching closer to establishing full-fledged ties with the Taliban.
Russia, which suffered a defeat at the hands of Afghan Mujahideen backed by Pakistan and the entire Western bloc, is hinting at recognising the Taliban government.
As part of the first step, the Russian Ministry of Justice and Foreign Affairs recommended President Vladimir Putin remove the Afghan Taliban from the list of terrorist organisations. Moscow banned the Afghan Taliban in 2003 when they were waging a war against the US-led foreign forces. (courtesy; Express Tribune)
