Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Iran and five former Soviet Central Asian states joined the Taliban and called on the United Nations to convene such a conference as soon as possible to help rebuild the country.
He added that this “should, of course, be with the understanding that the main burden … must be borne by the forces whose forces have been present in this country for the past 20 years.”
This was a clear reference to the United States and its allies, who invaded Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and whose abrupt withdrawal paved the way for the Islamist Taliban to take back control of the country in August.
Washington chose not to participate in the talks, citing technical reasons, but said it could join in a future round.
Russia has taken the lead in calling for international aid, knowing that any conflict with Afghanistan could threaten regional stability.
“No one is interested in the complete paralysis of the entire state, which, among other things, borders the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States),” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Since returning to power, the Taliban say they have moved as quickly as possible to open their government and guarantee rights to women, and that they are not a threat to any other country.
“Afghanistan will never allow its soil to be used as a base to endanger the security of another country,” Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki said.
Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi, who led the delegation, said: “It is not in anyone’s interest to isolate Afghanistan.”
While governments around the world, including Russia, have refused to give official recognition to the Taliban government, the communiqué recognizes the “new reality” of their ascent to power.
seek influence
Russia’s move to host the talks is part of an effort to increase its influence in the region after the US withdrawal. Its main fears are the threat of instability in Central Asia, and possible migratory flows and Islamic terrorist activity directed from Afghanistan.
Russia fought its disastrous war in Afghanistan in the 1980s and has close military and political ties with the former Soviet Central Asian republics bordering Afghanistan.
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