Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former special representative for Afghanistan, has written in an analysis that Moscow’s increasingly friendly approach toward the Taliban could undermine Pakistan’s leverage over the group.
Durrani made the remarks in an analysis published by Arab News on October 20. Referring to the recent Moscow Format meeting and changes made to its final statement at the Taliban’s request, he said the format appears to be moving toward accommodation with the Taliban.
According to the analysis, Durrani said the question is no longer whether Russia will engage with the Taliban, but rather how far Moscow is now willing to go in actively strengthening the regime.
He said Russia’s shift in tone toward the Taliban is particularly significant when considered alongside India’s growing presence in Kabul.
In Durrani’s view, the change in Russia’s tone and position toward the Taliban has implications for Pakistan. If the trend continues, Pakistan’s room for maneuver will inevitably narrow.
“Russia’s emerging approach also changes the regional diplomatic equation. If India is expanding its engagement with the Taliban while Russia is increasingly providing the Taliban with political space, the regime may conclude that it has enough regional options to resist pressure from Pakistan,” he wrote.
However, although Russia recognized the Taliban last year, Russian officials have repeatedly expressed concern about terrorist activities in Afghanistan under the group’s rule.
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