The Foreign Minister of the Taliban government, Amir Khan Muttaqi, stated that there is no need for a new round of intra-Afghan dialogue, describing previous negotiations as a “bitter experience” that should not be repeated. He made this comment in an interview with Al Jazeera, Afintl.af reports.
According to Muttaqi, the current Taliban government represents the entire Afghan nation. He claims that under Taliban rule, citizens live freely, without discrimination based on political views, ethnicity, or regional affiliation. “There are no threats for those who want to live peacefully within the current system,” he noted.
Relations with the U.S.: The Doha Agreement and Sanctions
Commenting on relations with the United States, Muttaqi expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of the 2020 Doha Agreement. In particular, he pointed to delays and inconsistencies in the release of prisoners and emphasized that Taliban leaders remain on international sanctions lists, despite agreements on their removal.
He acknowledged the recent cancellation of U.S. bounty offers for some Taliban officials as a positive step but stressed that full removal from sanctions lists has not yet occurred. Muttaqi described the recent visit of a U.S. delegation to Kabul as a “potential beginning of a new chapter” in bilateral relations and expressed hope for continued improvement in cooperation.
Foreign Policy and Regional Neutrality
The Taliban foreign minister stated that the group pursues a “balanced foreign policy” and seeks mutual progress in economic, political, and diplomatic areas.
Addressing the issue of India-Pakistan relations, Muttaqi emphasized the Taliban’s neutrality. He said the group does not interfere in the tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors and aims to develop “positive diplomatic ties” with both New Delhi and Islamabad.
Muttaqi: “There Is No Internal Opposition”
Regarding the internal situation, the minister stated that there are currently no organized opposition groups operating in Afghanistan. According to him, those who oppose the Taliban reside abroad and act individually rather than as part of any political movement.
He also claimed that there are no significant threats from within the Taliban itself. Furthermore, Muttaqi invited exiled Afghans, including former political opponents, to return and cooperate with the current authorities without fear of retribution.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 2, 2025