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Afghanistan makes major strides in cutting drug trafficking, says Putin
Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Afghanistan has taken “active and effective” steps to curb drug trafficking, noting a significant drop in opium production across the country. He made the remarks during an exclusive interview with India Today during his India trip, highlighting what he described as “visible progress” in Afghanistan’s internal security efforts.
Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders. He added that Afghanistan has also made important advancements in the fight against terrorism.
Responding to a question about why Russia officially recognized the Islamic Emirate, the Russian president said Afghanistan had been engulfed in civil conflict for many years, but the current authorities now hold control over the country. “This is the reality, and it must be acknowledged,” Putin emphasized.
He further noted that maintaining contact with Afghanistan’s leadership is crucial for shaping events inside the country. “If you want influence, you must engage with the people in charge — and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.
Putin’s remarks come as several regional powers continue to recalibrate their diplomatic strategies toward Afghanistan, focusing on stability, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that its temporary leadership council had approved the suspension of attacks against neighboring countries unless an attack on Iran came from those countries.
The announcement came as Iran continued to launch attacks in the region in response to U.S.-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic, Reuters reported.
Afghan nationals were among dozens of people injured during recent missile and drone attacks launched by Iran against the United Arab Emirates, according to the UAE Ministry of Defence.
Authorities said the attacks caused over 100 minor injuries among residents of multiple nationalities, including Emirati, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Lebanese and Afghan nationals.
The ministry also confirmed three fatalities — citizens of Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh — following the strikes.
The attacks are part of a wider escalation across the Middle East after US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory drone and missile launches against several Gulf states, including the UAE.
UAE Ministry of Defense said that since the start of the Iranian attacks, a total of 205 ballistic missiles have been detected, of which 190 were destroyed, 13 fell into the sea, and 2 landed within the UAE. During the same period, 1,184 Iranian drones were detected, with 1,110 intercepted, while 74 drones fell within the country’s territory.
Prominent Islamic scholar Ali al-Qaradaghi, president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, has issued a religious ruling urging an immediate halt to fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement, Qaradaghi said that fighting between Muslim nations contradicts Islamic teachings and stressed that the lives of Muslims must be protected. He described the suspension of hostilities during Ramadan as a religious obligation, calling on leaders of both countries to stop the conflict before the last ten days of the holy month.
The scholar also urged the two sides to use the ceasefire as an opportunity to begin dialogue after Eid, noting that countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey could help mediate.
Qaradaghi emphasized the importance of unity among Muslim nations and warned against internal conflicts that weaken the broader Muslim world.
Hundreds, including civilians, have been killed and injured in fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan that began over a week ago.
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