Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov made a significant visit to Afghanistan on Saturday, marking the highest-ranking official’s visit since the Taliban regained power three years ago. Aripov, accompanied by a delegation, was warmly received at Kabul airport by Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Taliban’s deputy prime minister, and other government leaders as reported by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral relations and promote trade and business between the two nations, resulting in the signing of five trade and investment agreements.
During the visit, discussions were held with Taliban leaders to enhance ties, and plans were made to launch an exhibition featuring Uzbek products. Earlier in the same week, an Uzbek delegation engaged with officials from the Ministry of Commerce. Additionally, a trilateral meeting involving the economy ministers of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan took place in Kabul to explore opportunities for advancing trade connections.
Uzbekistan and Afghanistan share a 144-kilometer (89-mile) border, and recent times have seen an improvement in their relations. Notably, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan back in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces were withdrawing after two decades of conflict. Despite this, the global community has yet to officially recognize the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, expressing concerns over the group’s strict governance, especially its impact on the rights of women and minority groups.