Taliban Says Saudi Arabia Maintains Diplomatic Ties With Kabul
The Taliban administration’s office has said that Abdul Wasif, chief of staff to the prime minister, met on Monday at the presidential palace with Faisal bin Talq Al-Baqmi, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Afghanistan.
According to the office, the meeting discussed strengthening friendly ties between the Taliban administration and Saudi Arabia, expanding bilateral cooperation and continuing relations between the two sides.
In a statement, Abdul Wasif thanked the Saudi ambassador for his activities and for the kingdom’s assistance to victims of the recent earthquakes, saying the Taliban administration wants to strengthen its relations with countries “on the basis of mutual respect.”
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, Saudi Arabia has maintained diplomatic relations with Kabul, and its embassy in the Afghan capital has remained open. However, Riyadh has not yet recognized the Taliban administration.
In recent years, alongside diplomatic engagement, Riyadh has also sent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, assistance that remains vital for some vulnerable families amid continuing humanitarian crises and the population’s heavy dependence on foreign aid.
