By Apoorva Shukla
Days after Russia officially recognised the Taliban government in Afghanistan, speculations are rife over whether Pakistan will follow suit. While Pakistani officials have maintained that they are in “no hurry” to extend formal recognition, Moscow鈥檚 move has once again pushed the question to the forefront. Pakistan Next To Recognise Taliban? Pakistan is in no hurry to recognise the Afghan Taliban government, and any decision will be made keeping the country’s interest in mind, officials said, as reported by PTI. The remarks came days after Russia became the first country to officially recognise the Taliban’s rule. Moscow’s decision, some observers feel, may be a prelude to other regional countries finally embracing the Taliban, especially Pakistan and China. “We, of course, will take a decision keeping in view our interest. I can tell you there is no hurry,” said a Pakistani official when asked whether Islamabad would also recognise the Taliban rule told The Express Tribune, according to PTI. The report cited a source pointing out at the possibility of Pakistan taking a more pragmatic approach if other regional players follow the Russian footsteps. Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, when asked regarding the Taliban, reacted cautiously to Moscow’s decision. He said that it was a matter between two sovereign states. Russia Recognises Taliban Rule In Afghanistan The Afghanistan鈥檚 Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday claimed that Russia has officially recognised the Taliban-led government, following a meeting between Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov and Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul. The Taliban鈥檚 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a post on X, confirmed that Zhirnov had formally conveyed the Russian Federation鈥檚 decision to recognise the Taliban government of Afghanistan, becoming the first major global power to extend legitimacy to the Taliban-led government since it took control of Kabul in August 2021. “The Russian ambassador (Dmitry Zhirnov) officially announced the Russian government’s decision based on which the Russian Federation recognises the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,” the MoFA X post read. Pakistani officials said that the Russian decision stems from the fact that greater engagement with the Taliban government would help address the terrorist threat and advance its geostrategic interests. What’s Cooking Between Taliban, Pakistan and China? Last month, after a trilateral meeting of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Chinese Foreign Ministers in Beijing, Islamabad and Kabul decided to elevate their diplomatic ties. China is believed to have played a key role in brokering the deal in the hope that greater engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan. China was the first nation to accept a diplomat at ambassador level from the Taliban in 2023. Till now, Pakistan has given no hints about officially recognising the Taliban government, but agreed to upgrade the diplomatic ties. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have gradually improved since the visit of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Kabul. Further, Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is expected to travel to Islamabad later this month. He was to visit Pakistan last month, but the trip was delayed due to the Iran-Israel war. (With inputs from PTI)