Taliban Says Saudi Arabia to Continue Diplomatic Ties with Kabul
The Taliban administration’s chief of staff has said that Abdul Wasi, the head of the prime minister’s office, met on Monday at the presidential palace with Faisal bin Talq Al-Baqami, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Afghanistan.
According to the office, the meeting focused on strengthening friendly relations between the Taliban administration and Saudi Arabia, expanding bilateral cooperation, and continuing ties between the two sides.
In a statement, Abdul Wasi thanked the Saudi ambassador for his activities and for the country’s aid to victims of recent earthquakes, saying the Taliban administration wants to strengthen its relations with countries “based on mutual respect.”
Saudi Arabia has maintained diplomatic relations with Kabul since the Taliban administration returned to power in August 2021, and its embassy in Kabul has remained active; however, the kingdom has not yet recognized the Taliban administration.
In recent years, Riyadh has sent humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan alongside diplomatic engagement. In the midst of continuing humanitarian crises and widespread dependence on foreign aid, such assistance is critically important for some vulnerable families.
