The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday accepted the credentials of the Taliban's ambassador to the oil-rich Gulf state, the biggest diplomatic coup for Afghanistan's rulers since they sent their ambassador to China. It was further proof of the international divide over how to deal with the Taliban, who are not officially recognized as the country's legitimate government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul confirmed the news about Badruddin Haqqani in a post on social media platform X. The ministry did not respond to requests for information about Haqqani, who was previously the Taliban's envoy to the UAE. Even though the Taliban remain isolated from the West, they have pursued bilateral ties with major regional powers.
Last week, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripovarrived in Afghanistan in the highest-level visit by a foreign official since the Taliban returned to powerthree years ago.
The U.N. says recognitionis “nearly impossible†while restrictions on women and girls are in place.