UAE Dispatches New Chargé d’Affaires to Kabul Amid Continued Diplomatic Engagements
The Taliban-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Saif Mohammed Al Ketbi, the new Chargé d’Affaires of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has presented his credentials to Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul. The meeting took place on Monday, during which Muttaqi emphasized the importance of expanding trade cooperation and easing the visa issuance process for Afghan citizens.
The diplomatic post was previously held by Issa Salem Mohammed Al Dhaheri, who had served as the UAE’s envoy in Kabul since September 2018. With the appointment of Al Ketbi, diplomatic interactions between the UAE and the Taliban administration have entered a new phase, despite Abu Dhabi not officially recognizing the Taliban government.
According to a statement issued by the Taliban’s foreign ministry, there are opportunities to expand bilateral relations in economic and commercial sectors that should be utilized. The ministry also expressed the Taliban’s intent to deepen economic ties with the UAE.
The statement added that the UAE’s envoy has proposed plans to enhance cooperation in trade and transit sectors and has informed the Taliban authorities of upcoming initiatives in these areas.
Although the UAE accepted the credentials of the Taliban’s envoy in Abu Dhabi last year, the move did not signify formal recognition of the Taliban administration. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not commented on the recent meeting with the Taliban representative.
The continued engagement between Taliban and Emirati officials, in the absence of an official stance from the UAE, has raised concerns in international diplomatic circles about the potential for informal legitimization of the Taliban regime.
