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Britain says recognition of IEA conditional on women’s rights, counterterrorism

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Britain’s special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Lindsay, has said formal diplomatic relations with Kabul will only be possible once the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) is recognized by the international community as a legitimate government — a process he said depends on concrete steps in human rights and security.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with BBC in Kabul, Lindsay stressed that Britain’s priorities include security, economic stability, and the return of Afghan women and girls to education and public life. He also voiced concern over growing tensions between the IEA and Pakistan.

Addressing the future of Afghanistan’s embassy in London, which was closed after the IEA revoked the credentials of the former ambassador, Lindsay said official diplomatic ties could resume only after international recognition of the current authorities.

He said his repeated visits to Kabul are aimed at encouraging IEA officials to take steps toward re-engagement with the world. According to Lindsay, those steps include guaranteeing girls’ access to secondary and higher education, protecting human rights, and ensuring Afghan soil is not used by terrorist groups to threaten other countries.

The British envoy acknowledged that humanitarian funding for Afghanistan remains insufficient despite mounting needs. Citing U.N. figures showing that millions of Afghan women and girls require humanitarian support, he said global crises are competing for limited aid resources. However, he noted that Britain remains one of Afghanistan’s largest bilateral donors and has allocated £150 million this year for food assistance and nutritional support for mothers and children.

Lindsay defended continued engagement with the IEA despite criticism from Afghan women who say years of diplomatic visits have failed to improve conditions. He argued that educating girls and enabling women to participate in the economy is in Afghanistan’s own long-term interest.

On regional tensions, Lindsay expressed concern over disputes between Kabul and Islamabad and the impact of Durand Line crossing closures on trade and families. He clarified that Britain is not acting as a mediator, noting that countries such as Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China have taken more active roles in facilitating dialogue between the two sides.

 
 

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Muttaqi and Iranian representative discuss expansion of bilateral relations

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Amir Khan Muttaqi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met on Wednesday with Mohammad Reza Bahrami, a representative of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the sidelines of the eighth meeting of the Moscow Format and discussed ways to expand bilateral relations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two sides exchanged views on Afghanistan-Iran relations, regional developments, and ways to strengthen mutual cooperation between the two countries.

Muttaqi expressed appreciation for Iran’s engagement with Afghanistan and its constructive participation in regional meetings, emphasizing the need to further expand relations between Kabul and Tehran.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Reza Bahrami stressed the importance of relations between the two countries and shared Iran’s views on regional cooperation, stability, and expanding economic engagement between Afghanistan and Iran.

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British special forces could face prosecution over alleged Afghanistan crimes

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The UK Ministry of Defence identified material suggesting that British service personnel may have committed “serious offences” in Afghanistan, including possible murder, manslaughter and grievous bodily harm, a High Court hearing in London was told.

The information was referred by UK Special Forces (UKSF) to the Defence Serious Crime Command earlier this year, The Independent reported.

According to the court, any criminal investigation into the allegations has been paused pending the outcome of the Afghanistan Inquiry.

The inquiry, chaired by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, is examining allegations that UK special forces unlawfully killed people during operations in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013, as well as claims of a subsequent cover-up.

It is also investigating allegations of inadequate investigations by the Royal Military Police.

The latest court proceedings relate to a senior British soldier, identified only as Witness IIA126, who is challenging the inquiry’s decision to restrict his and his lawyers’ access to certain evidence.

His lawyer, Kate Grange KC, argued that the restrictions had prevented the soldier from reviewing evidence concerning an allegation that a person was shot in the head while possibly asleep during a “deliberate detention operation.”

The inquiry is opposing the legal challenge, arguing that the restrictions were necessary to protect the identities of witnesses whose evidence was considered highly sensitive.

Jonathan Glasson KC, representing the inquiry, told the court that the discovery of material potentially indicating serious offences did not mean that any particular individual would necessarily face criminal charges.

The inquiry is expected to continue its examination of the allegations, with a written judgment on the latest legal challenge due at a later date.

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Afghan agriculture minister in Tashkent for international forum

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Afghanistan’s Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Attaullah Omari, has arrived in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, to attend an international forum on food security and sustainable development.

Omari is visiting Tashkent at the invitation of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture and is scheduled to participate in the Global Technical Forum for Landlocked Countries on Food Security and Sustainable Development Goals, being held from October 7 to 8.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Agriculture said the visit will provide an opportunity to discuss expanding bilateral and regional cooperation with Uzbekistan in agriculture, irrigation, livestock, trade and investment.

The Afghan delegation is also expected to meet officials and representatives from participating countries to discuss agricultural exports, trade, investment opportunities, and the exchange of technical knowledge and expertise.

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