The landmark event of Russia granting de-jure status to the Taliban regime is an example for other countries to follow. Such an initiative would help Afghan Taliban to come out of the international isolation.
Introduction
The Russian recognition of Taliban regime could significantly help Russia in combating the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP*). And, a renewed counter-terrorism cooperation could take place between the two countries. It is too remembered here that the ISKP killed almost 130 innocent Russian people in March 2024 at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow. Previously, on September 5, 2022, the ISKP launched a suicide attack at the Russian Embassy in Kabul resulting in the deaths of six people including 1 Russian diplomat.
A View from Pakistan
Pakistan is a peace-loving country and has been hosting more than 4 million Afghan refugees since the late 1970s. The Afghan refugees in Pakistan are not just a national or even regional concern; in fact, it is a global concern. The influx of refugees into Pakistan gravely overburdened Pakistan’s fragile economy and created numerous administrative problems. From 1970s onwards, Pakistan actively played its part in the rehabilitation and reintegration of the Afghan refugees, and went to great lengths for their comfortable stay here in Pakistan.
However, the displaced Afghans did not return to their homeland even after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, and preferred to stay in Pakistan for various reasons. The Afghans did not have any legal or moral ground for their stay in Pakistan and their repatriation was inevitable; nonetheless, the Afghan refugees continued their stay in Pakistan without any legal papers. Pakistan extended its hospitality way beyond its means, and such initiatives even compromised the well-being of Pakistani nationals. The United States (U.S.) invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, yet again saw another mass influx of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Pakistan is committed to international peace and security. It went to great lengths to root out the terrorist elements from Afghanistan by launching surgical operations and sharing vital intelligence with countries like the U.S., China, and Russia. Pakistan has clear intentions that Afghanistan must never become a safe haven for any terrorist organization or individuals belonging to any terrorist or extremist ideology.
Russia’s recognition of the Afghan Taliban regime is a welcome development from Pakistan’s perspective. Pakistan continues to support every and any initiative that ensures the wellbeing of Afghanistan and the Afghan people. However, at the same time, Pakistan is fully committed and determined to ensure that the Afghan soil must not be used against Pakistan or its interests in any possible way.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan was asked on the subject matter. He replied that “We, of course, will take a decision keeping in view our interest. I can tell you there is no hurry.” The spokesperson made it clear Pakistan is committed to working together with the Afghan government to address the issue of terrorism and safeguarding its national interest.
It is a good development that Pakistan sees the diplomatic relations between Russia and Afghanistan as a matter between two sovereign states. And, such a view could help the Afghan Taliban to improve their policy and international standing among nations of the world.
Pakistan has remained quite cautious that Afghanistan should not be abandoned and slip into the hands of terrorists and extremists. With Russian presence in Afghanistan, the Afghan government will be able to communicate its policy with the regional countries more effectively.
Pakistan and Russia are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) could be used for enhancing the counter-terrorism cooperation.
China lauded Russia’s recognition of Taliban Regime
China and Pakistan have agreed to make the Taliban regime a part and parcel of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Chinese have lauded Russia’s recognition of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. However, the Taliban need to ensure that no terrorist organization could use its soil against China.
Conclusions
Russia’s recognition of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan is a welcome development. It would definitely help in combating the growing terrorist threat of ISKP and its affiliates. However, the Taliban in Afghanistan need to prove their credibility and their zero-tolerance policy vis-à-vis terrorism.
Pakistan has a zero tolerance policy on terrorism and is ever-willing to cooperate with regional countries to curb the menace of terrorism. Pakistan is also cooperating closely with Türkiye for counter-terrorism, and such a cooperation would help in learning from the experiences of each other and joint mechanisms. It is also a possibility that Pakistan, Russia, Türkiye, and China would work together on countering terrorism and violent extremism.
Russia needs to ensure that Taliban adhere to their commitments towards a peaceful and safe Afghanistan. In this regard, the Russian Ambassador in Afghanistan Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov could play a significant role.
*-banned in Russia
Muhammad Ali Baig – is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI), Pakistan. He is a Ph.D. candidate and a distinguished graduate of National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, Pakistan
