Concerns grow over increased global ties with Taliban in Afghanistan

The Taliban in Afghanistan are expanding diplomatic contacts with major powers including China, Russia, India, Qatar and European nations, five years after seizing power in 2021. Human rights campaigners warn that individual country engagements risk undermining unified international pressure on the regime, which the UN described as a "human rights graveyard" for banning women from universities and employment, persecuting minorities, and repressing journalists. Countries are pursuing diplomatic channels citing regional security concerns and humanitarian aid needs, though analysts say the Taliban view any contact as legitimizing the repressive regime.