Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Despite recent assertions by Taliban officials that Kazakhstan has agreed to accept a Taliban-appointed ambassador in Astana, Kazakh authorities have firmly denied any such pledge. Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it has only accredited a Taliban diplomat as chargé d’affaires — a lower-ranking envoy — emphasizing that this step is strictly pragmatic to maintain trade, economic, and humanitarian cooperation, not a formal recognition of the Taliban regime.
Since the Taliban takeover, Kazakhstan has deepened engagement with Afghanistan by keeping diplomatic channels open and boosting bilateral trade, which reached nearly $900 million in 2022. The Kazakh government has also removed the Taliban from its terrorist list to facilitate economic ties, but officials underscore that none of these moves equate to recognizing the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government.
Kazakhstan continues to approach relations with the Taliban cautiously, focusing on regional security and economic interests without extending de jure recognition. This stance aligns with the broader Central Asian policy of pragmatic engagement without formal endorsement. No official confirmation has been made about accepting a full Taliban ambassador, despite repeated Taliban claims to the contrary.
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