Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, made his first official appearance at the 7th Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan held on 7 October 2025. For the first time since the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan participated as a full member of the regional dialogue, marking a diplomatic milestone for the group’s interim government.
The Moscow Format meeting, hosted by Russia, brought together representatives from Pakistan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, alongside a delegation from Belarus. The discussions focused on counterterrorism, economic integration, humanitarian aid, and regional stability.
Muttaqi’s presence drew significant international attention, not just for the symbolism of Taliban representation but also because it came after the United Nations granted him temporary travel exemptions, a move that reignited debate over geopolitical influence within the UN Security Council.
UN Sanctions Loosened for Russia and India Visits
According to Afghanistan International, Muttaqi received temporary travel exemptions to visit Russia and India between 6 and 16 October, after the UN Sanctions Committee approved the request. The decision comes months after the UN had denied similar permission for a visit to Pakistan, raising questions over the consistency of its policies.
Observers argue that India’s growing role in Afghan regional diplomacy may have influenced the decision, as the UN approval coincides with New Delhi’s invitation to Muttaqi following his visit to Moscow. The development highlights India’s expanding leverage in shaping diplomatic narratives concerning Afghanistan, while Pakistan’s earlier denied request continues to draw scrutiny.
Russia Recognizes Taliban Government
During his Moscow trip, Muttaqi met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who reaffirmed Russia’s decision to formally recognize the Taliban-led government, a first among major powers. Lavrov described the move as a step toward “unprecedented opportunities” for political and economic cooperation, while emphasizing the importance of mechanisms like the Moscow Format in fostering regional stability.
Muttaqi expressed gratitude to Russia, calling the recognition a “historic development” that paves the way for deeper collaboration in counter-narcotics, trade, and regional transportation projects. He also reiterated Afghanistan’s stance against hosting foreign military bases, including the Bagram Air Base, and called for collective resistance to any attempts to re-establish U.S. military infrastructure in the region.
Muttaqi’s Regional Messaging and Security Claims
In his address to the Moscow Format meeting, Muttaqi urged regional states to adopt a “pragmatic approach” toward Kabul. He claimed that no militant group currently operates from Afghan soil, asserting that all entities posing threats to regional security “have been eliminated.”
However, his remarks come amid contradictory reports, including recent claims by Pakistan and regional intelligence agencies about the continued presence of TTP, ISIS-K inside Afghanistan. His statement also followed reports of three ISIS-K leaders killed in Pakistan’s Karachi and Balochistan, raising further questions about cross-border militant networks.
Muttaqi instead accused neighboring states of hosting militant training centers and called for joint regional cooperation against narcotics and terrorism, insisting that Afghanistan’s new government should be judged “based on ground realities.”
Pakistan Reiterates Security Concerns
Representing Pakistan, Special Representative Mohammad Sadiq reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to a “peaceful, stable, and secure Afghanistan.” He emphasized the urgent need for collective regional action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), BLA, and IS-KP.
Sadiq also highlighted Pakistan’s initiatives, including the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway Project and China–Pakistan–Afghanistan trilateral cooperation, as part of broader efforts to foster economic resilience and connectivity.
On the sidelines, Sadiq and Muttaqi held a 90-minute bilateral meeting to discuss trade, transit, and security cooperation. Both sides agreed to explore practical steps for easing border trade, such as streamlined customs procedures and infrastructure improvements, while stressing the need for dialogue to address mutual security concerns.
Speaking to one of the correspondents of HTN, Ambassador Mansoor Ahmad Khan, former Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghanistan, said: “ The statements of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Moscow summit indicate differences in their perspectives on terrorism and how to address it.” He emphasized that both countries must engage in a deeper, more focused dialogue to counter terrorism, warning that without such engagement, cooperation on this critical issue will remain difficult. Concluding, the Special Representative emphasized the importance of a unified regional approach and Pakistan’s resolve to pursue collaborative efforts for durable peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and the broader region.
Joint Statement Highlights Counterterrorism and Economic Integration
In the joint statement released after the consultations, participants reaffirmed their support for Afghanistan as an independent state, urging enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, healthcare, and agriculture to support sustainable development.
The statement strongly called for strengthening counterterrorism cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels, warning that terrorism remains a “serious threat” to both Afghanistan and the wider region. The countries also rejected attempts by external powers to deploy foreign military infrastructure in or around Afghanistan, indirectly referencing the United States and its previous military bases.
The parties further appealed to the international community to increase humanitarian aid to Afghanistan without political conditions and to assist the country’s economic recovery and reintegration into regional systems.
India’s Growing Role and Regional Optics
Muttaqi’s approval to travel to New Delhi immediately following the Moscow meeting underscores a shift in regional diplomatic currents. India, which had previously avoided formal engagement with the Taliban, appears to be testing limited diplomatic outreach through forums like the Moscow Format.
The contrast between the UN’s earlier travel denial for Pakistan and its approval for India and Russia visits has fueled speculation that New Delhi wields increasing influence over UN procedural decisions regarding Afghanistan.
For Pakistan, which continues to face cross-border security challenges, this uneven treatment raises broader questions about international neutrality and geopolitical double standards in the evolving Afghan landscape.
Acting Foreign Minister Departs for India
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has departed for New Delhi at the official invitation of India’s Minister of External Affairs. During the visit, Muttaqi will meet his Indian counterpart and other senior officials to discuss political, economic, and trade cooperation, as well as ways to strengthen bilateral and regional relations. The visit also reflects signs of India and Afghanistan’s ties warming up again, as both sides appear keen to revive engagement after years of diplomatic distance following the Taliban’s takeover.
Conclusion
The Moscow Format’s seventh round underscored deep regional interest in stabilizing Afghanistan but also exposed underlying geopolitical rivalries. While Russia’s recognition of the Taliban marks a significant diplomatic precedent, unresolved tensions, particularly concerning terror sanctuaries and UN policy inconsistencies, continue to shape regional dynamics.
As Muttaqi heads to India next, the question remains whether Afghanistan’s new diplomatic overtures will lead to genuine regional cooperation or merely widen the fault lines of influence between Islamabad, New Delhi, and Moscow.
