Moscow — The Taliban have again called for participation in meetings of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), despite Afghanistan’s continued diplomatic isolation under Taliban rule. Gul Hassan, the Taliban-appointed ambassador in Moscow, claimed that Afghanistan holds observer status in the SCO and therefore should be included in the organization’s sessions.
However, Afghanistan’s engagement with regional and international forums has remained limited since the Taliban takeover in 2021, largely due to the group’s lack of international recognition and ongoing concerns over governance, human rights, and security commitments.
While the Taliban argue that Afghanistan remains a key regional stakeholder, analysts note that participation in platforms such as the SCO depends on credibility, compliance with international norms, and regional trust, areas where the Taliban continue to face scrutiny.
The SCO, which includes China, Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian states, has so far issued no official response to the Taliban’s request.
