Taliban Foreign Minister Rejects U.S. Military Presence, Advocates for Economic Ties

The Taliban’s foreign minister has responded to former President Trump’s calls for military presence in Afghanistan, asserting that the Afghan people reject any foreign military presence and are focusing instead on economic interaction.

Taliban: No Afghan Accepts Foreign Military Presence

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the foreign minister of the Taliban government, emphasized in an interview with The New York Times that the Afghan populace does not desire foreign military forces on their soil. He referred to Trump’s repeated requests regarding the return of troops to Bagram Airfield and stated, “No Afghan wants the military presence of another country in Afghanistan’s territory.”

Taliban Foreign Minister Calls for Engagement with the U.S.

Muttaqi added that this opposition does not imply a severance of political and economic relations with the United States. He proposed that Washington reopen its embassy in Kabul and invest in Afghanistan’s economic projects.

Muttaqi to Trump: Military Presence is Intolerable

The Taliban foreign minister listed several sectors ripe for U.S. investment, including Afghanistan’s mining, dam, and road infrastructure. He characterized these initiatives as part of a “new chapter” in bilateral relations.

Opposition to U.S. Military Presence Does Not Mean Severing Ties

Instead, Muttaqi called for the reopening of Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions in the U.S. This comes as the U.S. State Department has reportedly expressed reluctance to resume relations with the Taliban.

Taliban Government Seeks to Break Free from International Isolation

The New York Times noted that Kabul has signed defense agreements with Russia and trade agreements with Central Asian countries in an effort to escape international isolation. Additionally, some former U.S. diplomats are advocating for the resumption of dialogue between Washington and the Taliban.