Russia, China and Iran prepare to recognise Taliban's rule in Afghanistan

Moscow/Beijing/Kabul – Russia, China and Iran have signalled their support for the Taliban regime amid growing international concern over the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. Russian officials claimed they were in contact with the Taliban and announced that the Russian ambassador would visit the Taliban on Tuesday. China has indicated its readiness to maintain friendly relations with the Taliban regime. Iran’s President Ibrahim Raisi, referring to the US defeat, said there was now an opportunity for peace in Afghanistan.

Taliban members have been conducting armed patrols in and around the capital, Kabul, since Monday. Fearing the Taliban regime, many Afghans and foreigners are desperately trying to flee the country. Distrust of the Taliban regime is believed to be the main reason. Against this backdrop, the United Nations and Western countries have signalled action against the Taliban. On the other hand, Russia, China and Iran are preparing to recognise the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

On Sunday, the Russian embassy was operating as usual while the other countries struggled to secure and close their embassies. Russia’s special envoy Zamir Kabulov said the Russian embassy was in contact with representatives of the Taliban regime.

Kabulov also said that the Taliban had deployed an armed unit outside the Russian embassy. On Tuesday, Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan will meet with Taliban representatives and hold talks with them, the Russian ambassador clarified. He also claimed that IS was unlikely to take root in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. Following in Russia’s footsteps, China has taken steps to recognise the Taliban regime.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying’s said that China was keen on Friendly Cooperation with the Taliban. ‘The Taliban has consistently expressed a desire to have good relations with China. The Taliban also hopes that China will participate in the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan. We welcome this. China respects the right of the Afghan people to decide their future,’ said Hua Chunying.

Last month, Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and his delegation visited China. In this context, the signals from China regarding its recognition of the Taliban are significant. Iran, Afghanistan’s neighbour, has also indicated its readiness to recognise the Taliban. On Sunday, Iran’s outgoing Foreign Minister, Jawad Zarif, said that there would be a peaceful transfer of power in Afghanistan. Then, on Monday, President Ibrahim Raisi claimed that Afghanistan had an excellent opportunity for security, new life, and peace, referring to the US defeat.

The Iranian President said that Iran would encourage all its groups to work for the unity of Afghanistan as a neighbour and brotherly country.’. But reports of gunfire on the Iran-Afghanistan border surfaced on Monday. But Iran has denied the allegations and said no such incident had taken place.