By Sanjarbek Tilavoldiev
On June 30 and July 1 of this year, another meeting on the Afghan issue took place in the Qatari capital, Doha, under the auspices of the United Nations. It is worth noting that the Taliban government officially participated in the Doha-format meetings for the second time. This indicates the Taliban’s intention to expand its diplomatic capabilities and defend its interests on the international stage. Whereas in the past, representatives of the movement were wary of criticism at such platforms, they are now approaching it constructively, seeking solutions and engaging in international dialogue.
The main focus of the meetings held in the Doha format was the issue of drug cultivation in Afghanistan, particularly opium. For many years, opium cultivation had been one of the country’s primary sources of income. However, following the Taliban’s rise to power, this figure began to decline significantly. According to statistics, after the Taliban assumed control, the area of land used for opium poppy cultivation decreased from 232,000 hectares to 7,382 hectares by 2024. In order to further reduce these figures, the authorities have resorted to the use of force when necessary. For example, in 2025, several clashes occurred between Taliban representatives and local residents in the Badakhshan province. This demonstrates that the Taliban seeks to avoid being associated on the international stage with a state involved in opium production, as such a reputation hinders its international recognition and limits the inflow of humanitarian aid and foreign investment into Afghanistan. For this reason, the movement is making efforts to combat this issue and aims to present itself as an open government ready for constructive dialogue.
In addition, within the framework of the UN-led process, the United States has maintained silence regarding the Taliban, while a number of Western countries continue to express criticism toward the movement. This, in turn, is prompting the Taliban to strengthen its relations with Eastern countries. On June 30, 2025, alongside its participation in the Doha meetings, Taliban representatives held talks with Pakistan, China, and Russia, during which important regional political issues were discussed. Such diplomatic engagement contributes to the enhancement of the Taliban’s foreign policy capacity. Notably, on July 3, 2025, shortly after the Doha talks, Russia officially recognized the Taliban government for the first time. This may lead to a further shift in Afghanistan’s orientation toward Eastern countries, should the West continue its policy of non-recognition.
Overall, the Taliban government took part in these meetings with the aim of strengthening its authority on the international stage. In this context, it sought to present itself not as a state associated with drug trafficking, but as an actor ready for meaningful diplomatic engagement. This, in turn, may accelerate the process of international recognition of the Taliban government by a larger number of states and contribute to the consolidation of its position in regional politics.
* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.
