Tehran, Iran – Afghanistan’s neighboring countries convened in Tehran on Sunday to discuss regional cooperation on political, economic, and security challenges, while the Taliban-led government of Kabul chose not to attend. The gathering, organized by Iran, included representatives from China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Russia, highlighting the strategic importance of Afghanistan despite its absence.

Regional Cooperation Without Kabul

Afghanistan was invited to the talks but declined participation. The Taliban government stated that it is already engaged with neighboring countries through existing regional mechanisms, claiming it had made “good progress” in diplomatic and economic relations. Analysts and regional experts, however, criticized the decision, interpreting it as a demonstration of political immaturity and a reluctance to engage in broader negotiations.

Pakistan’s former special representative for Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, described the Taliban’s absence as a lack of willingness to negotiate and a stance that could hinder the resolution of serious regional issues.

Despite Kabul’s absence, the meeting produced a joint statement emphasizing the need to maintain economic and trade ties with Afghanistan, improve living conditions, and integrate the country into regional political and economic frameworks.

Security Concerns and Economic Challenges

The participants discussed ongoing security threats, including terrorism, drug trafficking, and human smuggling, and reaffirmed opposition to any foreign military presence in Afghanistan. They also urged the international community to lift sanctions and release frozen Afghan assets to help stabilize the nation’s struggling economy.

Afghanistan continues to rely heavily on foreign aid, with millions depending on international support for survival. Natural disasters and the forced return of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries have further strained the country’s resources, making international engagement critical.

Efforts to Reduce Tensions with Pakistan

A key focus of the talks was addressing border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have recently led to clashes killing dozens of civilians and military personnel. A Qatar-mediated ceasefire since October has largely held, though sporadic violence continues. The meeting reinforced the importance of dialogue to prevent further escalation and support regional peace.

Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s current special representative for Afghanistan, emphasized that Afghanistan must not harbor militants to inspire confidence among regional countries and unlock its economic potential.

Future Plans for Regional Dialogue

The participants agreed to hold the next meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, while Pakistan offered to host the following round of special envoys’ talks in Islamabad in March 2026.

Iran’s foreign ministry noted that this was the first such meeting of regional special envoys in approximately two years, underscoring renewed efforts for collaboration on Afghan stability. Russia and Uzbekistan sent presidential envoys, while Pakistan was represented by a delegate from the prime minister’s office.

Afghanistan’s Strategic Role

Landlocked Afghanistan occupies a strategic position between the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia, making it a key player for energy-rich and energy-hungry nations. Regional engagement remains critical not only for Afghanistan’s internal stability but also for wider geopolitical and economic connectivity.