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Russia may open more consulates in Afghanistan, ambassador says
Russia was one of the few countries to have maintained an embassy in Kabul when the former government collapsed and the IEA regained power.
Moscow does not rule out opening more consulates in Afghanistan in the future, Russian Ambassador to Kabul Dmitry Zhirnov said in an interview with TASS.
“So far, there is no need for this but nothing can be ruled out in the future. Russia and Afghanistan established diplomatic relations in 1919; back then, apart from the embassy in Kabul and a consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, we also opened consulates in Herat and Maymana, and planned to open a consulate in Jalalabad,” he said in response to a question.
Zhirnov also reiterated the Foreign Ministry’s recommendation that Russian nationals refrain from visiting Afghanistan for private purposes due to the tense security situation in the country. “In May, militants from ISIL (ISIS/Daesh) attacked a group of foreign tourists at a market in the capital of the Bamyan Province. Three Spaniards were killed, while Australian, Spanish, Lithuanian and Norwegian nationals suffered wounds,” the envoy noted.
Russia was one of the few countries to have maintained an embassy in Kabul when the former government collapsed and the IEA regained power.
While Moscow does not officially recognize the IEA government, efforts are reportedly being made to remove the Islamic Emirate from its list of militant organizations, which many consider the first move towards official recognition.
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Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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