Russia, Pakistan and China have all signalled a readiness to transition smoothly into engaging with Taliban authorities with varying levels of enthusiasm. In Pakistan – long accused of aiding the Afghan Taliban – the prime minister, Imran Khan, said the Taliban had “broken the chains of mental slavery in Afghanistan”. China is ready to develop “good-neighbourly, friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan”, a foreign ministry spokeswoman said, but also noted Taliban promises that Afghanistan would not serve as a staging ground for “acts detrimental to China”. Photograph: Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty ImagesPakistanOf all its regional neighbours, Pakistan appeared the most exuberant in welcoming Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Influential religious clerics and senior Pakistan military generals also celebrated publicly.

Source: The Guardian August 16, 2021 15:48 UTC