Siraj Haqqani pays unannounced visit to UAE

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister, made an unannounced visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he held talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE, according to Taliban spokesman.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson, said on X that Haqqani was accompanied by Abdul Haq Wasiq, the head of the Taliban intelligence agency. The meeting reportedly focused on “mutual interests, bilateral stability, Afghanistan’s economic strengthening, and other key issues.”

According to the UAE’s state news agency, WAM, Sheikh Mohammed and Haqqani met on Tuesday at the Qasr Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi. Their talks included discussions on recent developments in Afghanistan, rebuilding efforts, and strategies to promote stability and improve living conditions for Afghans.

Haqqani also expressed gratitude for the UAE’s humanitarian support to Afghanistan, WAM reported. The visit follows a trip to the UAE days earlier by Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister. Muttaqi met with Sheikh Mohammed and Vikram Misri, India’s deputy foreign minister, as part of ongoing diplomatic outreach by the Taliban.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the UAE has served as a key venue for international dialogue involving Taliban representatives, including meetings with Western officials.