Afghanistan is steadily expanding its diplomatic relations across the region and making progress toward broader engagement with European countries, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Muttaqi said Afghanistan’s foreign relations have continued to develop despite the international pressure and diplomatic challenges facing the country over the past five years.

He noted that countries that adopted a constructive approach toward the Islamic Emirate have witnessed increased diplomatic exchanges and official visits, while those that refused to engage with Kabul have failed to achieve tangible gains through their policy of isolation.

“Our message is that countries that engaged positively with us increased their exchanges and visits,” Muttaqi said. “But those countries that did not engage with us should say what they achieved over the past five years. What benefit did they gain? They gained nothing.”

Afghanistan Rejects Terrorism and Seeks Stability

Muttaqi also highlighted the Islamic Emirate’s efforts to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a base for terrorist groups, emphasizing that Kabul itself has no interest in allowing Afghan territory to be used for activities threatening regional or international security.

He said Afghanistan has taken measures to combat terrorism and maintain security, arguing that the country’s current stability provides an important foundation for regional cooperation and economic development.

Kabul Challenges International Recognition Policy

The Afghan foreign minister also criticized what he described as continued international attempts to find reasons not to recognize the Islamic Emirate and to prevent Afghanistan from reclaiming its seat at the United Nations.

Without naming any particular country, Muttaqi argued that international standards should be applied consistently and that Afghanistan should not be subjected to a different standard.

“As foreign minister, I do not consider it appropriate to name any particular country,” he said, pointing to countries where people have faced serious oppression while international recognition has remained in place.

“That is why I say that, when it comes to Afghans, this is merely an excuse,” he added.

Political analyst Yousuf Amin Zazai also emphasized the importance of Afghanistan’s representation at the United Nations, saying that international representation is closely connected to a country’s status and ability to raise important issues on the global stage.

“The United Nations and representation there reflect the image of a country. We have rights there, and there are issues that need to be discussed there,” Zazai said.

Muttaqi Rejects Western Narrative on Afghan Women

Muttaqi further challenged international media portrayals of women’s education in Afghanistan, arguing that the situation on the ground is more complex than the picture frequently presented by Western governments and media organizations.

He pointed to the continued participation of girls and women in religious education and primary schooling as evidence that educational opportunities for Afghan females remain available in several areas.

“We have a large number of female students in religious schools who continue their education through to the end,” Muttaqi said. “Likewise, there are more than three million female students in schools up to the sixth grade.”

Afghanistan Expands Diplomatic Contacts

The Islamic Emirate continues to pursue a foreign policy centered on expanding diplomatic and economic engagement, particularly with neighboring and regional countries.

Russia remains the only country to have formally recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Nevertheless, Kabul maintains contact with more than 40 diplomatic missions, including embassies and consulates representing various countries.

The growing diplomatic engagement reflects Afghanistan’s efforts to overcome international isolation, strengthen regional partnerships and establish broader political and economic relations with the international community.

Muttaqi’s remarks underline Kabul’s position that engagement, rather than isolation, offers the most effective path toward addressing outstanding international issues and building a more stable and economically connected Afghanistan. (ILKHA)