On August 21, 2024, the representative of the Taliban, Badruddin, officially presented himself for the first time in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It is crucial because he is the second diplomat to be recognized by another nation. Earlier this year, China accepted their envoy.
China organized the grand ceremony as compared to the United Arab Emirates. The welcoming event of the UAE is simple, but they hinted to the Taliban that a bigger event might happen later. This action of the UAE shows that the Taliban make its position international, especially as they mark three years in power.
The UAE’s engagement with the Taliban raises many worries about its objectives and potential results for regional stability. Back in the 1990s, when the United Arab Emirates recognized the Taliban’s regime. By joining hands with the Taliban and reopening its embassy in the UAE, it shows that the priority of these nations is their interest. Signing contracts with them appears UAE more focused on economic benefits than on promoting stability or supporting the Afghan people.
The meeting between UAE’s leaders and Taliban officials
The meeting between Emirates leaders and Taliban officials also shows that the UAE wants to compete with Qatar for influence in Afghanistan. This nation does not have any concern about security and human rights issues. This approach risks legitimizing a regime that has a history of violence and oppression.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s recent engagement with the Taliban indicates a shift in regional dynamics, suggesting that the UAE may be losing ground in Central Asia. Overall, the UAE’s strategy appears to prioritize its interests over the well-being of Afghanistan, raising questions about its commitment to genuine diplomatic relations and regional stability.
The United Arab Emirates’ recognition of the Taliban indicates that they could stand in favor of the group’s complex rule in Afghanistan. This also serves as a hurdle for the international community to pressure them to change their strict policies. Since 2021, attempts to use aid cuts and sanctions have not changed the Taliban’s behavior. At the same time, UAE has strong relations with many nations. These strong ties show a willingness to engage with the Taliban despite their oppressive regime.
According to recently explored data, the Taliban has held over 1,300 meetings with more than 80 nations. Furthermore, they proudly promote this on different social media platforms. They also recently celebrated their three years in power. In this celebration, the Taliban proudly represent their military strength. But they ignored the women’s rights and struggle of people’s lives in Afghanistan.
Instead, they focused on asserting their power and urging Afghan citizens abroad to return. This celebration was a clear signal to the world that the Taliban is confident and in control, raising concerns about the future of human rights in Afghanistan, especially for women and vulnerable groups.
Since returning, the group has paid attention to foreign policy, framing it as “economic diplomacy”. They claim to follow a balanced approach and collaborate with the nation that promotes economic interest. The acting foreign minister highlighted this during last year’s accountability sessions, saying economic ties with other nations can bring legitimacy.
Furthermore, they strongly opposed the West for its negative views. They forced the international partners to invest in Afghanistan’s development. In this way, positive relationships build, and also conflict ends soon.
Yet, the Taliban’s true aim seems to be leveraging global security concerns to gain economic partnerships. This allows them to strengthen their position while pushing their strict policies at home. The underlying message is that their economic engagement is not just about development; it also helps them maintain control and avoid outside criticism.
The recent action of the Taliban represents their increasing confidence on the global stage. They participate in the Doha conference with women and civil society groups. Furthermore, by blocking the UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett from coming to Afghanistan, they are asserting control. They also don’t accept the passports and visas of all those associated with the previous government.
Although they seek formal recognition, the current situation helps them strengthen their power and project an image of diplomatic strength. In a 2023 session, Foreign Minister Muttaqi claimed he didn’t fully understand what recognition means.
He also suggests that some diplomatic exchanges already indicate acknowledgment from certain countries. This permits the Taliban to not pay attention to the international demands and ignore women’s rights. It allows them to present their enhanced global interactions as evidence of their diplomatic skill rather than a necessity for legitimacy.