NEARLY four years after the Afghan Taliban marched into Kabul, Russia has become the first country to recognise the regime. Observers of history will appreciate the irony in this development: the successor state of the USSR has granted legitimacy to a government led by an outfit that in many ways is the ideological heir to the anti-Soviet mujahideen. Geopolitics indeed makes for strange bedfellows. The previous Taliban regime was only recognised by three states: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Since the collapse of the West-backed dispensation in 2021 and the Taliban takeover, certain states, including China and Pakistan, have exchanged diplomats with Kabul. But recognition by Moscow is a major diplomatic victory for the ‘Islamic Emirate’, and may pave the way for other states to accord it recognition. Russia’s ambassador to Kabul has said his country wants to build “a full-fledged partnership with Afghanistan”, while Afghanistan’s foreign minister has termed it a “brave decision” by Moscow. The main factor that likely influenced the Russians to normalise ties with the Taliban set-up is security, as IS-K, which has staged terrorist attacks in Russia, is active in Afghanistan, and Moscow perhaps wanted someone to talk to in Kabul regarding its concerns about militancy.

Pakistan and other regional states should also consider recognising the Afghan Taliban regime. Pakistan, too, has serious concerns about Afghanistan-based militant groups threatening its security. For example, on Friday the military announced that an infiltration attempt by “Indian proxy khawarij” from Afghanistan had been countered, while 30 terrorists had been killed. In fact, Pakistan and the states of the region should all convey a one-point message to Afghanistan that terrorist groups active on Afghan soil must be neutralised, as militancy poses a threat to all of South and Central Asia. Just as ‘good’ militants in Syria have been normalised and recognised as the legitimate power in that country, the same may have to be done in Afghanistan, as there is no alternative governing force there. Therefore, keeping the Afghan Taliban onside may be a practical necessity. Along with security, Pakistan and the international community must stress that the Taliban should do more to respect human rights, particularly women’s freedom. Basic rights available to women in all Muslim states, such as education and employment, cannot be denied to Afghan women.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2025