Editing Taliban (section)

== International relations ==
{{main|International relations with the Taliban}}{{More sources|section|date=March 2025}}
During the war, the Taliban were supported by several militant outfits which include the [[Haqqani network]], [[Al-Qaeda]] and the [[Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan]]. Several countries like China, Iran, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia and Saudi Arabia allegedly support the Taliban.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}} However, all of their governments deny providing any support to the Taliban. Likewise, the Taliban also deny receiving any foreign support from any country.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 April 2018 |title=Is Russia arming the Afghan Taliban? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41842285 |website=BBC News |quote=A Taliban spokesman said that the Taliban had not "received military assistance from any country".}}</ref> At its peak, formal [[diplomatic recognition]] of the Taliban's government was acknowledged by three nations: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. In the past, the United Arab Emirates and Turkmenistan were also alleged to have provided support to the Taliban. It is designated by some countries as a terrorist organization.

During its time in power (1996–2001), at its height ruling 90% of Afghanistan, the Taliban régime, or Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, gained diplomatic recognition from only three states: the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, all of which provided substantial aid. The most other nations and organizations, including the United Nations, recognised the government of the [[Islamic State of Afghanistan]] (1992–2002) (parts of whom were part of the [[Northern Alliance|United Front, also called Northern Alliance]]) as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. Regarding its relations with the rest of the world, the Taliban's Emirate of Afghanistan held a [[Foreign policy|policy]] of [[isolationism]]: "The Taliban believe in non-interference in the affairs of other countries and similarly desire no outside interference in their country's internal affairs".{{sfn|Matinuddin|1999|page=42}}

Traditionally, the Taliban were supported by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, while Iran, Russia, Turkey, India, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan formed an anti-Taliban alliance and supported the Northern Alliance.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rashid |first=Ahmed |author-link=Ahmed Rashid |date=2022 |title=Taliban: The Power of Militant Islam in Afghanistan and Beyond |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TvR-EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA5 |edition=3rd |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-26682-5 |page=5}}</ref> After the fall of the Taliban régime at the end of 2001, the composition of the Taliban supporters changed. According to a study by scholar Antonio Giustozzi, in the years 2005 to 2015 most of the financial support came from the states Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, and Qatar, as well as from private donors from Saudi Arabia, from al-Qaeda and, for a short period of time, from the Islamic State.<ref>{{cite book |last=Giustozzi |first=Antonio |date=2019 |title=The Taliban at War, 2001–2018 |location=New York |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-009239-9 |pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ch6sDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA260 260], [https://books.google.com/books?id=Ch6sDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA270 270]}}</ref> About 54 percent of the funding came from foreign governments, 10 percent from private donors from abroad, and 16 percent from al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. In 2014, the amount of external support was close to $900 million.<ref>{{cite book |last=Giustozzi |first=Antonio |date=2019 |title=The Taliban at War, 2001–2018 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ch6sDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA243 |location=New York |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-009239-9 |pages=243–245}}</ref>

Following the Taliban's ascension to power, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's model of [[governance]] has been widely criticized by the international community, despite the government's repeated calls for international recognition and engagement. Acting Prime Minister [[Hasan Akhund|Mohammad Hassan Akhund]] stated that his interim administration has met all conditions required for official recognition.<ref name="Voice of America">{{Cite web |title=Afghan Acting PM Urges World to Recognize Taliban Government |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/afghan-acting-pm-urges-world-to-recognize-taliban-government/6403147.html |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=VOA |date=19 January 2022}}</ref> In a bid to gain recognition, the Taliban sent a letter in September 2021 to the UN to accept [[Suhail Shaheen]] as [[Permanent representative|Permanent Representative]] of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan – a request that had already been rejected by the [[United Nations Credentials Committee|UN Credentials Committee]] in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Islamic Emirate's Envoy Seeks UN Acceptance |url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-174856 |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=TOLOnews}}</ref>

With regards to international relations after the [[2021 Taliban offensive|Taliban seizure of Afghanistan]] in 2021, Taliban spokesperson [[Suhail Shaheen]] told the Russian news agency ''[[Sputnik (news agency)|Sputnik]]'': "Of course, we won't have any relations with [[Israel]]. We want to have relations with other countries; Israel is not among these countries. We would like to have relations with all the regional countries and neighbouring countries as well as [[Asia]]n countries."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/asia-and-australia/taliban-says-it-wants-ties-with-u-s-and-rest-of-the-world-but-not-israel-1.10197657|title=Taliban Says It Wants Ties With U.S. and Rest of the World – but Not Israel|last=Kampeas|first=Ron|date=10 September 2021|via=Haaretz|access-date=17 September 2021}}</ref>

On 10 October 2021, Russia hosted the Taliban for talks in [[Moscow]] in an effort to boost its influence across [[Central Asia]]. Officials from 10 different countries – Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Iran and five formerly [[Soviet Central Asia]]n states – attended the talks, which were held during the Taliban's first official trip to Europe since their return to power in mid-August 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/20/europe/russia-taliban-talks-moscow-intl/index.html | title=Taliban wins backing for aid at Moscow talks, with regional powers saying US and allies should pay | website=[[CNN]] | date=20 October 2021 }}</ref> The Taliban won backing from the 10 regional powers for the idea of a United Nations donor conference to help the country stave off economic collapse and a humanitarian catastrophe, calling for the UN to convene such a conference as soon as possible to help rebuild the country. Russian officials also called for action against [[Islamic State]] (IS) fighters, who Russia said have started to increase their presence in Afghanistan since the Taliban's takeover. The Taliban delegation, which was led by Deputy Prime Minister [[Abdul Salam Hanafi]], said that "Isolating Afghanistan is in no one's interests," arguing that the extremist group did not pose any security threat to any other country. The Taliban asked the international community to recognize its government,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dw.com/en/taliban-pleads-for-recognition-at-moscow-talks/a-59559553 | title=Taliban pleads for recognition at Moscow talks &#124; DW &#124; 20.10.2021 | website=[[Deutsche Welle]] }}</ref> but no country has yet recognized the new Afghan government.<ref name="Voice of America"/>

On 23 January 2022, a Taliban delegation arrived in [[Oslo]], and closed-door meetings were held during the Taliban's first official trip to Western Europe and second official trip to Europe since their return to power.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taliban delegation begins talks in Oslo |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/23/taliban-delegation-arrives-in-norway-for-first-talks-with-west |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=Al Jazeera}}</ref> Western diplomats told the Taliban that [[humanitarian aid]] to Afghanistan would be tied to an improvement in [[human rights]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=At Oslo talks, West presses Taliban on rights, girls education |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/26/west-links-afghan-humanitarian-aid-to-human-rights |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=Al Jazeera}}</ref> The Taliban delegation, led by acting Foreign Minister [[Amir Khan Muttaqi]], met senior French foreign ministry officials, Britain's special envoy [[Nigel Casey]], [[European Union Special Representative|EU Special Representative]] for Afghanistan and members of the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway)|Norwegian foreign ministry]]. This followed the announcement by the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee that the committee would extend a travel ban exemption until 21 March 2022 for 14 listed Taliban members to continue attending talks, along with a limited asset-freeze exemption for the financing of exempted travel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UN Extends Exemption of Travel Ban on Islamic Emirate Leaders |url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-176022 |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=TOLOnews}}</ref> However, the [[Afghan Foreign Minister]] Amir Khan Muttaqi said that the international community's call for the formation of an inclusive government was a political "excuse" after the 3-day Oslo visit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Intl Community Yet to Define 'Inclusive Govt': Islamic Emirate |url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-176481 |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=TOLOnews}}</ref>

At the United Nations Security Council meeting in New York on 26 January 2022, Norwegian Prime Minister [[Jonas Gahr Støre|Jonas Gahr Store]] said the Oslo talks appeared to have been "serious" and "genuine". Norway says the talks do "not represent a legitimisation or recognition of the Taliban".<ref>{{Cite web |title=With Afghanistan 'Hanging by a Thread', Security Council Delegates Call on Taliban to Tackle Massive Security, Economic Concerns, Respect Women's Equal Rights {{!}} Meetings Coverage and Press Releases |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sc14776.doc.htm |access-date=2022-05-25 |website= UN Web TV}}</ref> In the same meeting, the Russian Federation's delegate said attempts to engage the Taliban through coercion are counter-productive, calling on Western states and donors to return frozen funds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The situation in Afghanistan – Security Council, 8954th meeting |url=https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1z/k1zhkj88vx |access-date=2022-05-25 |website= UN Web TV |date=26 January 2022 |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525162958/https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1z/k1zhkj88vx |url-status=dead }}</ref> China's representative said the fact that aid deliveries have not improved since the adoption of UNSC 2615 (2021) proves that the issue has been politicized, as some parties seek to use assistance as a bargaining chip.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Security Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution 2615 (2021), Enabling Provision of Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan as Country Faces Economic Crisis {{!}} Meetings Coverage and Press Releases |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sc14750.doc.htm |access-date=2022-05-25 |website= UN Web TV}}</ref>

Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, the Russian Federation, and China were the first countries to accept the [[Letter of credence|diplomatic credentials]] of Taliban-appointed envoys, although this is not equivalent to official recognition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-21 |title=Turkmenistan becomes first Central Asian country to recognise Taliban envoy to Afghan embassy in Ashgabat |url=https://theprint.in/world/turkmenistan-becomes-first-central-asian-country-to-recognise-taliban-envoy-to-afghan-embassy-in-ashgabat/882842/ |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=ThePrint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=First Diplomat Of Taliban-Led Afghanistan Accredited In Moscow |url=https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/moscow-accredits-afghan-taliban-diplomat/31779443.html |access-date=2022-05-25 |newspaper=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lalzoy |first=Najibullah |date=2022-04-04 |title=China agrees to accept credentials of Taliban diplomats: Afghan FM |work=The Khaama Press News Agency |url=https://www.khaama.com/china-agrees-to-accept-credentials-of-taliban-diplomats-afghan-fm-435634745/ |access-date=2022-05-25}}</ref>

On 4 July 2024, the Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] stated that Taliban is an ally of Russia in the fight against terrorism.<ref>{{Cite news | date=2024-07-04 |title=Vladimir Putin Says Taliban Russia's "Allies" In Fighting Terrorism |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/vladimir-putin-says-taliban-russias-allies-in-fighting-terrorism-6034602|access-date=2024-07-05| work=NDTV}}</ref>

In November 2024, Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry announced that Taliban officials would attend the [[2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] (COP29), marking the country's first participation since the Taliban regained control in 2021. Afghanistan had been unable to attend previous climate summits due to the lack of international recognition of the Taliban government. Despite this, the Taliban's environmental officials emphasized that climate change should be viewed as a humanitarian issue rather than a political one, arguing that addressing it transcends political disputes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Afghanistan's Taliban send delegation to COP climate summit |date=10 November 2024 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/afghanistans-taliban-send-delegation-to-cop-climate-summit/a-70746139 |website=DW News |access-date=11 November 2024}}</ref>

After the [[fall of the Assad regime]] in Syria, the Taliban congratulated the [[Syrian opposition to Bashar al-Assad|Syrian opposition]] and "the people of Syria", hoping for "a peaceful, unified and stable system".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nierenberg |first=Amelia |date=8 December 2024 |title=Governments around the globe expressed cautious optimism over the future of Syria. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/world/middleeast/syria-global-reactions-world-leaders.html |access-date=8 December 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

In April 2025, Russia's [[Supreme Court of Russia|supreme court]] lifts the Taliban's designation as a terrorist organization.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-17 |title=Russia’s top court lifts terror group designation on Afghanistan’s Taliban |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-taliban-designation-court-change-986619152dae1eeb5123deea22fc4633 |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

=== Designation as a terrorist organization ===
{{further|Islamic terrorism|List of designated terrorist groups|Religious terrorism}}
The Taliban movement is officially illegal in the following countries to date:
*{{CAN}}<ref name="Terror2021">{{Cite web |title=Currently listed entities |url=http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-eng.aspx |access-date=23 October 2014 |publisher=Public Safety Canada}}</ref>
*{{flag|New Zealand}}<ref name="nz-list" />
*{{flag|Tajikistan}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hgu.tj/news/post/tolibon-sozmoni-terroristi-ki-dar-toikiston-va-rusia-mamnu-ast.html|title="Толибон" – созмони террористӣ, ки дар Тоҷикистон ва Русия мамнӯъ аст|website=www.hgu.tj}}</ref>
*{{flag|Turkey}}<ref name="bozbas" />
*{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}<ref name="uae-2017-18" />
*{{flag|United States}},<ref name="USDT">{{cite web |title=928 I Office of Foreign Assets Control |url=https://ofac.treasury.gov/faqs/928 |publisher=[[United States Department of the Treasury]] |access-date=October 15, 2024 |date=December 22, 2021}}</ref> though not on the [[United States Department of State list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Foreign Terrorist Organizations |newspaper=United States Department of State |url=https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/ |publisher=U.S. Department of State}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=More Republicans call on Biden to designate Taliban as terrorist group| url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/572312-more-republicans-call-on-biden-administration-to-designate-the-taliban-as|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]| date=15 September 2021}}</ref>

Former: 
*{{KAZ}} <small>(2005–2023)</small><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-taliban-afghanistan-terrorist-groups/32752347.html|title=Kazakhstan To Remove Taliban From List Of Terrorist Groups|newspaper=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty |date=29 December 2023|access-date=30 December 2023}}</ref>
*{{flag|Kyrgyzstan}} <small>(2006–2024)</small><ref name="kg-list">{{cite web|url=https://24.kg/english/48835_List_of_terrorist_and_extremist_organizations_banned_in_Kyrgyzstan_/|title=List of terrorist and extremist organizations banned in Kyrgyzstan|website=24.kg|access-date=3 March 2020|date=5 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-afghanistan-taliban-terrorist-list/33109802.html|title=Kyrgyzstan Takes Taliban Off Of Its Terrorist List|newspaper=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty |date=6 September 2024|access-date=7 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-07 |title=Kyrgyzstan follows regional trend, takes Taliban off terrorist list |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/kyrgyzstan-follows-regional-trend-takes-taliban-off-terrorist-list/7775060.html |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>
*{{flag|Russia}} <small>(2003–2025)</small><ref name="ru">{{cite web|url=http://nac.gov.ru/page/4570.html|script-title=ru:Единый федеральный список организаций, признанных террористическими Верховным Судом Российской Федерации|trans-title=Single federal list of organizations recognized as terrorist by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation|work=Russian Federation National Anti-Terrorism Committee|access-date=20 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502021516/http://nac.gov.ru/page/4570.html|archive-date=2 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-17 |title=Russia’s top court lifts terror group designation on Afghanistan’s Taliban |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-taliban-designation-court-change-986619152dae1eeb5123deea22fc4633 |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

=== United Nations and NGOs ===
Despite the aid of United Nations (UN) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) given (see [[#Afghanistan during Taliban rule|§ Afghanistan during Taliban rule]]), the Taliban's attitude in 1996–2001 toward the UN and NGOs was often one of suspicion. The UN did not recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, most foreign donors and aid workers were non-Muslims, and the Taliban vented fundamental objections to the sort of 'help' the UN offered. As the Taliban's Attorney General Maulvi Jalil-ullah Maulvizada put it in 1997:

{{blockquote|Let us state what sort of education the UN wants. This is a big infidel policy which gives such obscene freedom to women which would lead to [[adultery]] and herald the destruction of Islam. In any Islamic country where adultery becomes common, that country is destroyed and enters the domination of the infidels because their men become like women and women cannot defend themselves. Anyone who talks to us should do so within Islam's framework. The Holy Koran cannot adjust itself to other people's requirements, people should adjust themselves to the requirements of the Holy Koran.<ref>Maulvi Jalil-ullah Maulvizada, June 1997 interview with Ahmed Rashid; {{Harvnb|Rashid|2000|pp=111–112}}.</ref>}}

In July 1998, the Taliban closed "all NGO offices" by force after those organisations refused to move to a bombed-out former [[Institute of technology|Polytechnic]] College as ordered.<ref name="bmj">[http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/317/7155/369/a Aid agencies pull out of Kabul] The building had neither electricity or running water.</ref> One month later the UN offices were also shut down.<ref name="rashid,71">{{Harvnb|Rashid|2000|pp=71–72}}.</ref>

Around 2000, the UN drew up sanctions against officials and leaders of Taliban, because of their harbouring Osama bin Laden. Several of the Taliban leaders have subsequently been killed.<ref name=telegraphJan2010 />

In 2009, [[Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom|British Foreign Secretary]] [[Ed Miliband]] and US Secretary [[Hillary Clinton]] called for talks with 'regular Taliban fighters' while bypassing their top leaders who supposedly were 'committed to global jihad'. [[Kai Eide]], the top UN official in Afghanistan, called for talks with Taliban at the highest level, suggesting Mullah Omar{{snd}}even though Omar dismissed such overtures as long as foreign troops were in Afghanistan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 2009 |title=UN official calls for talks with taliban leaders |url=http://sify.com/news/un-official-calls-for-talks-with-taliban-leaders-news-international-jicuarhgaeb.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509061527/http://www.sify.com/news/un-official-calls-for-talks-with-taliban-leaders-news-international-jicuarhgaeb.html |archive-date=9 May 2013 |access-date=20 September 2017 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

In 2010, the UN lifted sanctions on the Taliban, and requested that Taliban leaders and others be removed from terrorism watch lists. In 2010 the US and Europe announced support for President Karzai's latest attempt to negotiate peace with the Taliban.<ref name="telegraphJan2010">{{Cite news |last=Farmer |first=Ben |date=25 January 2010 |title=UN: lift sanctions on Taliban to build peace in Afghanistan |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/7067537/UN-lift-sanctions-on-Taliban-to-build-peace-in-Afghanistan.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/7067537/UN-lift-sanctions-on-Taliban-to-build-peace-in-Afghanistan.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=9 April 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 January 2010 |title=UN Reduce Taliban names on terror list |work=United Press International |url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/01/25/UN-Reduce-Taliban-names-on-terror-list/UPI-69591264400185/ |access-date=27 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2010 |title=Asia News |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/01/2010125185642602982.html |access-date=27 August 2010 |website=Al Jazeera}}</ref>

=== Designated terrorist organisations ===
Many designated terror groups have pledged their allegiance<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.afintl.com/en/202410090797|title=Many Jihadi Groups In Asia & Africa Pledge Allegiance To Taliban Leader, Group Sources|date=9 October 2024}}</ref> to the new Taliban government, these groups include: [[Al Qaeda]], [[al-Shabaab (militant group)|al Shabaab]], [[Boko Haram]], [[Jemaah Islamiyah]], [[Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin]] and [[Ansar al-Sharia (Libya)|Ansar al-Sharia in Libya]], [[Tehreek-e-Taliban]], [[Harkat-ul-Mujahideen]]

According to some reports [[Jaish-e-Mohammad]] and [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]], which have allegedly close ties to Pakistan's intelligence agency, have joined ISIS-K and ended their allegiance to Mullah Hibatullah.

The East Turkestan Movement and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan both distanced themself from the Taliban and ended their allegiance after the Talibans Zabul operation against Uyghurs in 2014, however newer reports indicate that those groups still have good relations with the Taliban.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/03/turkistan-islamic-party-head-decries-chinese-occupation.php|title=Turkistan Islamic Party head decries Chinese occupation|date=18 March 2018}}</ref>