This move highlights the Taliban’s ongoing efforts to establish a more formal diplomatic presence…reports Asian Lite News
Afghanistan’s Embassy in Oman has officially reopened, signaling the Taliban’s growing diplomatic presence in the Gulf region. Zia Ahmad Takal, the deputy spokesman for the Foreign Ministry in Kabul, confirmed that the embassy in Muscat resumed operations on Sunday. This comes after the United Arab Emirates accepted a Taliban ambassador last month, and follows the Taliban’s July declaration that they no longer recognize diplomatic missions set up by the previous, Western-backed government of Afghanistan.
While there has been no immediate confirmation from Omani authorities, Takal emphasized that the embassy is now staffed by diplomats from the Taliban-led government. He noted that the resumption of the embassy’s activities, facilitated through cooperation with Oman, is expected to enhance political, economic, social, and religious relations between Kabul and Muscat. Takal also confirmed that 39 diplomatic missions globally are now under Taliban control.
This move highlights the Taliban’s ongoing efforts to establish a more formal diplomatic presence, despite most countries still not recognizing them as Afghanistan’s legitimate government. The Taliban have been in power for three years and continue to face limited internal or external opposition. Nevertheless, they have pursued closer bilateral ties with key regional powers.
In line with this diplomatic push, Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister, Abdulla Aripov, visited Afghanistan last month, making it the highest-level visit by a foreign official since the Taliban took control in August 2021. Meanwhile, embassies in London and Oslo have closed, reflecting the international community’s divided stance on how to engage with the Taliban as they extend their control over Afghanistan’s overseas diplomatic missions.
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