Russia hosts Taliban talks in Moscow as Kabul-Islamabad tensions rise

Russia hosted Taliban officials and regional powers in Moscow amid worsening Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions. The meeting highlighted Moscow's growing clout and the Taliban's uneven search for legitimacy.Moscow,Oct 5, 2026 20:36 ISTA delegation from Afghanistan's ruling Taliban government joined representatives from China, India, Iran, Pakistan and other countries for talks in Moscow on Monday, as Russia hosted its annual consultations on Afghanistan. The meeting was overshadowed by rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with both sides blaming each other for cross-border attacks in sharply worded statements.The talks also underlined Moscow's effort to expand its influence in the region. Russia became the first country to recognise the Taliban government in July 2025 after removing the group from its list of outlawed organisations, and on Monday it repeated its support for the administration while also offering to help ease tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomed Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi by congratulating him on "the fifth anniversary of Afghanistan's liberation from the NATO contingent". He said, "Five years is a short time to overcome the consequences of many decades of occupation, yet your government's achievements are evident, and we welcome them." Lavrov praised the Taliban's campaign against the Islamic State group and other extremists, as well as its efforts to curb drug trafficking. He also said that "the powerful military machine of the United States and their NATO allies was broken by the fighting spirit and resilience of the Afghans". Lavrov added that the Taliban's "successes in the fight against narcotics and terrorism are to a significant extent linked to the ongoing military-technical cooperation between our countries".Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021 after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, they have sought international recognition while enforcing their strict interpretation of Islamic law. Lavrov said Russia viewed the deployment of any NATO military infrastructure in Afghanistan or neighbouring countries as "categorically unacceptable", adding, "Historical experience shows that such a presence is fraught with destabilization and escalating conflict." He also said Russia would continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were also present at the meeting. Russia's envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said Moscow was ready to mediate, telling reporters, "Russia stands ready to help end this conflict using all possible means and acting independently or together with other partners if both parties ask for it." Fighting across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has continued despite international mediation, with Pakistan carrying out airstrikes in several Afghan provinces and Afghan fighters launching raids into Pakistan. Pakistan has long accused the Taliban government of sheltering militants behind attacks across the border, especially the Pakistani Taliban, or TTP. Pakistan's envoy Mohammad Sadiq said on Monday that "terrorism remains at the core of Afghanistan's problems, with roots in the nexus between the Taliban Regime and terrorist groups," including the TTP and others. He said, "Over the last three years alone, more than 4,700 innocent Pakistanis have lost their lives to terrorism emanating from Afghanistan," and added that the "Taliban regime is complicit in this". He described Pakistan's counterstrikes as "precise, intelligence-based and defensive in nature."Muttaqi rejected Pakistan's allegations and condemned its strikes, saying they had killed Afghan civilians, including women and children. He said after the talks, "In all the attacks or bombing that Pakistan has carried out, there has been no evidence to date that anyone who was dangerous to them (Pakistan) or anyone else has been killed by them." While the Taliban has held high-level talks with many countries and built some diplomatic ties with nations including China and the United Arab Emirates, it has remained relatively isolated internationally, largely because of its restrictions on women. Monday's meeting brought that isolation, Russia's support and the worsening Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions into sharp focus. With PTI Inputs- Ends