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

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.