Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, is set to visit China and Iran in the coming days as part of a broader effort by the Taliban-led government to strengthen regional relations and push for formal diplomatic recognition.
Zakir Jalali, an official from the Afghan Foreign Ministry, confirmed the upcoming visits, adding that Muttaqi also plans to travel to other countries in the region, though he did not provide specifics.
The visit to China follows a formal invitation extended earlier this week, while the trip to Iran may coincide with the upcoming Tehran Dialogue Summit, scheduled to take place from May 17 to May 19.
Kabul has been actively pursuing a foreign policy centered on fostering cooperation with neighboring countries, particularly in Central and South Asia, as it seeks to build diplomatic and economic partnerships. One of the key objectives of Muttaqi’s regional tour is believed to be advancing the Taliban’s campaign for international recognition.
On Friday, the Russian-Afghan Business Forum convened in Kazan, Russia, on the sidelines of the broader Kazan Forum. The Afghan delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Deputy Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar, met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.
During the forum, several political and economic agreements were signed to deepen cooperation between Moscow and Kabul. Russia also announced that the Taliban government had submitted a formal request to appoint an ambassador to Moscow—pending approval—signaling a potential full normalization of diplomatic ties.
Notably, the Taliban’s white flag, now the official national flag of Afghanistan, was displayed alongside those of other nations at the event. Materials promoting the business forum also referred to the country by its Taliban-proclaimed name, “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.”
These developments reflect increasing diplomatic momentum for the Taliban government, which appears to be transitioning from a phase of regional engagement to a concerted push for de jure recognition on the international stage.
While Western nations have largely withheld formal recognition, citing concerns over women’s rights and the absence of an inclusive political structure, several Asian countries—including Russia, China, and Iran—have adopted a more pragmatic approach. They argue that engagement with the current authorities in Kabul is necessary for regional stability and economic cooperation.
Most countries have thus far deferred to the United Nations in determining the legitimacy of Afghanistan’s government. However, Kabul may be seeking to persuade individual countries to bypass that process and recognize the Taliban government unilaterally in the near future.