 |
|---|
|
 Afghanistan portal |
TheTaliban has ruledAfghanistan as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan sincetaking control by force in 2021, overthrowing the internationally recognizedIslamic Republic of Afghanistan. The takeover was widely criticized by the international community. As of July 2025, only onemember state of theUnited Nations,Russia,[1] has extendeddiplomatic recognition to the new regime, even though many states maintain nominal relations with Afghanistan.
The Taliban previouslyruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 and received limited diplomatic recognition, with the United Nations and most countries continuing to recognize theIslamic State of Afghanistan. The Taliban has campaigned for international recognition since the takeover, gradually taking over the Islamic Republic's foreign diplomatic missions. Ousted presidentAshraf Ghani has largely remained silent since the takeover, and has not formed agovernment-in-exile. Ghani's vice presidentAmrullah Saleh declared himself caretaker president and relocated toPanjshir Province after the Taliban takeover with the support of theNational Resistance Front (NRF). However, he fled Afghanistan after the Taliban quickly captured the province. Although the NRF continues to wage aguerrilla insurgency, it has failed to take any territory and neither Saleh nor the NRF have received any international support, leaving the Taliban as the only viable claimant to Afghanistan's government.[2][3][4][5]
Several countries have vowed never to recognize the Islamic Emirate, and others have said they will do so only ifhuman rights in the country are respected (in particular,those of women). Some countries haveaccredited Taliban diplomats despite not recognizing the Islamic Emirate, and some have appointed new ambassadors to Afghanistan which have been accepted by the Taliban. Other countries, includingCanada andTajikistan, have designated theTaliban as a terrorist organization.[6][7][8]Kazakhstan removed the prohibition in 2023 after a controversial business forum featuring Afghan MinisterNooruddin Azizi.[9]
Between 1996 and 2001, only threeUN member states—Pakistan,Saudi Arabia, and theUnited Arab Emirates (UAE)—recognized the Islamic Emirate as the rightful government of Afghanistan.[10] The Islamic Emirate received recognition from the partially recognizedChechen Republic of Ichkeria,[11] thoughChechen presidentAslan Maskhadov would later describe the Islamic Emirate as an "illegitimate" government.[12]
The Taliban government was not recognized by the United Nations, which instead continued to recognize theIslamic State of Afghanistan as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
.jpg)
Despite limited recognition of the Islamic Emirate as the legitimate successor of theIslamic Republic of Afghanistan, there have been official diplomatic talks between theTaliban and other countries since September 2021.
 | This section needs to beupdated. The reason given is: Half or more of these countries are sourced from 2021, it's unclear whether these still apply. If they do, newer sources should be used to confirm this.. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(July 2025) |
| This section needs to beupdated. The reason given is: Much of the Pro-Taliban vs. Anti-Taliban classification here is deeply flawed. With the exception of Russia, no country recognizes the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan and by definition cannot be pro-Taliban. Recognition aside, if this classification was based on diplomatic relations and meetings, then why is Turkey referred to as "anti-Taliban"? Its diplomats regularly meet up with Taliban diplomats, similar to many other "pro-Taliban" governments listed here. Same logic applies vis-a-vis the Indian government.. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(October 2025) |
According to the formerforeign minister of Bangladesh,AK Abdul Momen, "If a Taliban government is formed, which has been done, our door will be open to them if it is a government of the people" and "No matter which new government is formed, we will accept if it is of the people". BothBangladesh and Afghanistan have good diplomaticrelations, with the minister considering Bangladesh as a "potential development partner and a friend of Afghanistan".[13]
A spokesperson for the foreign ministry of thePeople's Republic of China stated that China "respects the wishes and choices of the Afghan people" and hopes for "friendship and cooperation" with the new authorities.[14][15] China also hopes to seek assurances from the Taliban that they will not support the UN-proscribedTurkistan Islamic Party or allow them to operate from Afghan territory.[14] In March 2022,Wang Yi, foreign minister of China, visited Kabul and met with the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan,Amir Khan Muttaqi.[16] China nominated Zhao Sheng as the ambassador to Afghanistan in September 2023, becoming the first country to appoint an ambassador since Taliban's takeover.[17] In January 2024, China was the first country to accredit a Taliban-appointed ambassador; however, the PRC still does not formally recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.[18]
Iranian PresidentEbrahim Raisi has said that the U.S. "military failure" in Afghanistan offers an opportunity to establish lasting peace in the country. Iranian state TV quoted him as saying that "America's military defeat and its withdrawal must become an opportunity to restore life, security and durable peace in Afghanistan".[19][20] Iran accredited the Taliban's nominee for Chargé d'Affairs, Mohammad Afzal Haqqani, on 26 February 2023, and handed over the embassy in Tehran.[21]
Malaysian Foreign MinisterSaifuddin Abdullah has stated that the government is undecided on recognition and will adopt a cautious approach.[22] However, underPrime MinisterAnwar Ibrahim, Malaysia has expressed a willingness to cooperate with Taliban-led Afghanistan, particularly through theOrganisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). WhileMalaysia is open to engaging with Afghanistan, it maintains a firm stance on the right of women and girls to education, despite the Taliban's restrictions on women's rights.[23]
BurmeseMinister of International CooperationKo Ko Hlaing took aim at "externally enforced democratization" and blamed American foreign intervention for the fall of the government.[24]
Nicaragua appointed a non-resident ambassador to Afghanistan stationed in Beijing in 2024. Then-vice presidentRosario Murillo stated he formally presented his credentials to Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.[25]
PakistaniPrime MinisterImran Khan stated that Afghans have "broken the shackles of slavery".[26] Foreign MinisterShah Mahmood Qureshi stated that Pakistan would not recognize a Taliban-led government without consultations with regional and international partners, adding that he was pleased that the transfer of power took place without bloodshed.[27][28] The Pakistani Representative to the United Nations referred to the government led by Ashraf Ghani as "a now defunct regime" and criticized both the participation of the Afghan representative appointed by Ghani as well as being blocked from addressing aUN Security Council meeting presided over by India.[29] The Pakistani government claimed thatMir Rahman Rahmani, the Speaker of theWolesi Jirga, met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and agreed to engage with the Taliban to form an inclusive government.[29] Pakistani National Security Advisor, Moeed Yusuf, has warned that the West risks a second 9/11 situation if it doesn't “immediately recognise” the Taliban.[30]
Qatar has served as the main diplomatic hub of the Taliban since 2012, when theTaliban's Political Office opened there, with the assistance of the Qatari government. The office hosted senior Taliban diplomats; the head of the Political Office is a member of the Taliban's governingLeadership Council. From 2019 until the recapture of the country, ThirdDeputy LeaderAbdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Taliban, was stationed in Qatar as the head of the Political Office. He negotiated and signed theUnited States–Taliban deal in Qatar, and arranged for thehandover of Kabul with U.S. military leaders. Baradar returned to Afghanistan on 17 August 2021, andSuhail Shaheen took over the Political Office, which continues to serve as a diplomatic hub for the Taliban. The Taliban has since also been allowed to take over the Embassy of Afghanistan in Qatar. Acting Foreign MinisterAmir Khan Muttaqi has made numerous visits to Qatar to meet with both Qatari and other world leaders, and has visited Qatar more than any other country.
Russia has recognized the Islamic Emirate as the lawful authority of Afghanistan.[31][32] Moscow has said that it hopes to develop ties with the Taliban, although it also says that it is in no rush to recognize them as the country's rulers.[19] On 16 August 2021,Dmitry Zhirnov, theRussian Ambassador to Afghanistan, praised the group and stated that "the situation is peaceful and good and everything has calmed down in the city. The situation in Kabul now under the Taliban is better than it was under Ashraf Ghani." Zhirnov met a Taliban representative on 15 September to discuss security for the embassy in Kabul, which remained open. On 21 October, a day after hosting the Taliban for talks in Moscow, Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would “move in the direction” of delisting the Taliban as a terrorist group, although the president stressed that the UN Security Council should be the first to change the Taliban's designation. Soon after, the Russian state news agencyRossiya Segodnya forbade its reporters from referring to the Taliban in published content as a terrorist organization that is banned in Russia.[33] This has happened before: In November 2018, management atRIA Novosti ordered staff not to mention in reporting about the Taliban that it is a banned terrorist organization in Russia. However, the Taliban are still on Russia's federal list of banned terrorist organizations.[34] On 31 March 2022, the Russian Federation became one of the first countries to accept thediplomatic credentials of a Taliban-appointed envoy, although this is not equivalent to official recognition.[35] On 3 July 2025, Russia recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and adapted their flag on the front of the Afghan embassy in Moscow.[36]
In August 2021, Saudi Arabia evacuated all of its diplomats from its embassy in Kabul during theTaliban offensive. Although Saudi Arabia does not recognize the re-establishedIslamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Saudi embassy re-opened on 30 November 2021 to provide consular services to Afghan citizens.[37] In December 2024 the Saudi government announced is resumption of its embassy in Kabul and its operations under the Islamic Emirate.[38]
In March 2022, Turkmenistan accepted the credentials of the Taliban's appointee forchargé d'affaires to the Afghan Embassy in Ashgabat, Fazal Muhammad Sabir, without formally recognizing the Islamic Emirate. A ceremony held at the embassy was attended byDeputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Wafa Khadzhiev.[39][40][41]
The UAE's embassy opened on 30 November 2021.[42] In December 2022, seconddeputy leader of Afghanistan and acting defense ministerMullah Yaqoob met with UAE PresidentMohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan inAbu Dhabi. Al Nahyan met First Deputy LeaderSirajuddin Haqqani in Abu Dhabi June 2024. The United Arab Emirates accredited a Taliban-appointed ambassador in August 2024 despite not recognizing the Islamic Emirate.[43][44][45] In March 2023 Taliban opened Consulate-General in Dubai.[46]
In August 2024, Prime Minister of UzbekistanAbdulla Aripov made a working visit to Kabul, the highest-ranking foreign leader to do so since the Taliban retook power.[47] In October 2024, Oybek Usmonov, Uzbekistan's former deputy foreign minister and ambassador to Pakistan, was appointed as ambassador to Afghanistan.[48] The governments of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have engaged in dialogue regarding theQoshtepa Canal, which Uzbekistan worries may threaten its water security; President of UzbekistanShavkat Mirziyoyev stated, "it is imperative to form a joint working group to study all aspects of the construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal and its effect on the water regime of the Amu Darya.”[49]
TheIndian Government does not recognize the Islamic Emirate, but has said that they will help Afghanistan whenever required.[50]
Then-Australian minister for foreign affairsMarise Payne said in 2021, "We make no premature commitments to engage with an Afghan administration that is Taliban led." Australia will support international efforts to maintain pressure on theTaliban and any futureAfghanadministration to meet its responsibilities to its people, its region and the wider world.[51]
Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau stated thatCanada would not recognize the Islamic Emirate as the legitimate government of Afghanistan and that the Taliban would remain a banned organization in Canada.[52]
Czech Foreign MinisterJakub Kulhánek stated that theCzech Republic will "by no means recognize the Taliban under any circumstances" but did not rule out dialogue with the group.[53][54]
French Foreign MinisterJean-Yves Le Drian stated thatFrance "refuses to recognize or have any type of relationship with this government".[55]
In the aftermath of theFall of Kabul, former ofIndonesianvice presidentJusuf Kalla believed that Indonesia would not sever the diplomatic connection between Indonesia andAfghanistan.Indonesian constitutional experts have urged the Indonesian government to not hastily recognize Afghanistan under theTaliban government as they deemed the transfer of power to have taken place without constitutional means. These concerns were voiced on 17 August 2021 and were formalized with a statement by the Commission of Constitutional Studies ofPeople's Consultative Assembly three days later. On 26 August 2021,Minister of Foreign AffairsRetno Marsudi met Taliban officials and representatives inQatar. In the meeting, she urged to her Taliban counterpart to (1) ensure stability and prosperity of Afghanistan, (2) form an inclusive government, (3) maintain respect, dignities, and basic rights to Afghan women.[56]
In August 2021, SpanishMinister of Foreign AffairsJosé Manuel Albares announced that the country would not recognize the Taliban government "imposed by force", although they did not rule out the possibility of keeping "operational contact" with the Taliban government to continue with the evacuation procedure.[57][needs update]
In a September 2021 address to theUnited Nations General Assembly, President of TajikistanEmomali Rahmon criticized the Taliban for its "failure to deliver on its earlier promises to form a comprehensive government with the broad participation of Afghan political and ethnic forces."[58] While the Afghan consulate inKhorog is administered by the Taliban government, as of May 2024, the embassy inDushanbe is led by the ambassador previously appointed by the former Islamic Republic.[59] Tajikistan has also sought to exclude the Taliban government from participating in regional organizations, such as theShanghai Cooperation Organization.[60]
In September 2021, Foreign MinisterMevlüt Çavuşoğlu saidTurkey was in no rush to recognize the Taliban government.[61] In March 2022, however, Çavuşoğlu has expressed the intention to internationally recognize the Islamic Emirate.[62]
In August 2021,British Prime MinisterBoris Johnson urged other countries not to recognize the Islamic Emirate as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.[63] In September, Deputy Prime MinisterDominic Raab stated that the UK "will not recognize the Taliban as the new government in Kabul" but would be willing to engage in direct communications with the group.[64]
In August 2021, Secretary of StateAntony Blinken said in an interview that the United States will not recognize any government that harbors terrorist groups or does not uphold basic human rights.[65] TheU.S. State Department later declined to say if the United States still recognizedAshraf Ghani as thepresident of Afghanistan.[66]
TheUnited Nations has called for "the establishment, through inclusive negotiations, of a government that is united, inclusive and representative with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women".[67] Ghulam M. Isaczai, theAfghan representative to the United Nations, who was appointed by theIslamic Republic of Afghanistan, continued to represent the country at a meeting of theSecurity Council held on 16 August 2021.[68] The second Taliban government is not recognized by the United Nations, which instead continues to recognize the Islamic Republic as the country's legitimate government. On 1 December 2021, the nine-nationCredentials Committee of the General Assembly voted to defer a decision to allow theTaliban to represent Afghanistan at the UN.[69] On 22 December 2021, the UN adopted a resolution aimed at facilitating aid to Afghanistan.[70] On 15 February 2022, the UN released an updated list of member state officials with the names ofGhani administration officials removed.[71] In May 2024, the UN suspended Afghanistan's voting rights in the UN General Assembly over failure to pay the UN membership fees.[72]
TheEuropean Union'sHR/VPJosep Borrell stated that the EU "will have to get in touch with the authorities in Kabul, whatever they are. The Taliban have won the war, so we will have to talk with them" but that the EU had no plans to recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.[73] On 23 January 2022, the EU's embassy officially opened following the meeting between Taliban officials and other European officials inOslo.[74]On 10 November 2022, the United Nations passed resolution A/RES/77/10 titled "The situation in Afghanistan." 116 countries voted yes, 10 countries voted to abstain, and 67 did not vote. No countries voted against the resolution.[75]
On 7 July 2025, the United Nations passed resolution A/79/L.100 with the same title as the 2022 resolution; the resolution requests the Secretary-General appoint a coordinator for Afghan international relations.[76]
The NRF has executed hit-and-run attacks against the Taliban in some parts of Afghanistan but has not been able to hold territory.
| Americas | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | |||
| Europe |
| ||
| Missions | |||
| Multilateral | |||
