In a significant diplomatic development, Badruddin Haqqani, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) envoy to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), formally presented his credentials to Abu Dhabi, marking a crucial step in the Taliban’s pursuit of broader international recognition. Haqqani, who was appointed as the Taliban’s envoy to the UAE in October 2023, became the second Taliban diplomat to be formally accepted by a foreign country, following China’s acceptance of a Taliban envoy earlier this year.

While the formal presentation of credentials did not involve a grand ceremony akin to the event held in Beijing, it still represents a symbolic victory for the Taliban. The envoy was received by the UAE’s Assistant Under Secretary for Political Affairs, with the Taliban Foreign Ministry hinting at an impending official ceremony at a later date. This diplomatic gesture comes as the Taliban regime completes three years in power, signaling their efforts to bolster legitimacy and expand international relations.

UAE’s Role in Afghanistan’s Diplomacy

The UAE’s recognition of the Taliban’s diplomatic envoy is not without historical precedent. During the Taliban’s first regime from 1996 to 2001, the UAE was one of only three countries—along with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan—that formally recognized the Islamic Emirate. Despite initially reducing its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s resurgence, the UAE has gradually re-engaged with the group.

This renewed engagement began with the reopening of the UAE embassy in Kabul in September 2021, soon after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. In a further sign of deepening ties, an Abu Dhabi-based firm, GAAC Solutions, won a lucrative contract in 2022 to manage on-ground operations at Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat airports, outmaneuvering rivals Qatar and Türkiye. AirArabia and FlyDubai also resumed flights to and from Kabul, facilitating increased connectivity between Afghanistan and the UAE.

Emirati officials, including President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have held several meetings with senior Taliban leaders. Just a week before Haqqani’s accreditation, the Emirati president met with IEA’s Acting Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, who was in the UAE for medical treatment. The UAE’s interior minister, Sheikh Nahyan, also met with Sirajuddin Haqqani, the IEA’s acting interior minister, in June 2024 to discuss mutual security and stability concerns in the region.

For Abu Dhabi, maintaining relations with the Taliban serves a dual purpose: competing with Qatar for influence in Afghanistan, and addressing its concerns regarding terrorism and regional stability. The UAE sees an opportunity to expand its geopolitical footprint in Afghanistan as part of a broader competition for influence with Doha, which has positioned itself as a key player in Afghanistan’s post-US withdrawal diplomatic landscape.

Growing Ties with Uzbekistan

In parallel to the Taliban’s diplomatic efforts in the UAE, the regime has also made strides in enhancing its relations with Central Asian nations. On August 17, 2024, Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister led a high-level delegation to Afghanistan, marking the first such visit since the Taliban returned to power. The visit culminated in the signing of 35 agreements worth US$2.5 billion, covering a wide array of economic and security cooperation projects. This visit underscores the deepening relationship between the Taliban and Central Asia, driven by mutual economic and security interests.

The Uzbek Prime Minister also hinted at formalizing diplomatic relations by accepting a Taliban envoy in Tashkent. This gesture aligns with the broader trend of Central Asian countries engaging with the Taliban regime, despite concerns over security and terrorism threats that continue to loom over the region. The visit reflects the growing importance of Afghanistan as a hub for regional connectivity and economic cooperation, particularly in the realms of infrastructure development and trade.

The Taliban’s Quest for International Legitimacy

The Taliban’s official media arm, Al Emaharah, has framed the UAE’s decision to accept their diplomat as a “formal acknowledgment” of the IEA, reinforcing the group’s narrative of diplomatic success. This move, the Taliban argue, is part of a broader strategy to gain international recognition and legitimacy, especially as Western efforts to isolate and pressure the regime have largely fallen short of yielding significant results.

Since 2021, efforts by the international community to press the Taliban into moderating its governance—through aid reduction and sanctions—have failed to significantly alter the group’s ideological stance or its approach to governance. In fact, the Taliban has established functional diplomatic relationships with several neighboring countries and beyond. According to Aaron Zelin, a scholar tracking the IEA’s diplomatic activities, the Taliban has participated in over 1,380 diplomatic engagements with around 80 countries between August 2021 and February 2024.

The international community’s approach to Afghanistan reflects a growing dichotomy: while Western nations have maintained a more cautious stance, regional countries have been more pragmatic in their dealings with the Taliban. There is an emerging recognition of the need to engage with the group, particularly in matters related to security and economic interests.

Celebrating Three Years of Taliban Rule: A Display of Strength

On August 15, 2024, the Taliban celebrated three years since their return to power with a grand parade at Bagram Air Base. The parade featured Taliban fighters displaying U.S.-made military equipment left behind during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. The event, which attracted around 10,000 participants, was framed as a celebration of Afghanistan’s “independence” from foreign occupation and the stabilizing influence of the Taliban regime.

Speeches delivered by Taliban officials emphasized the group’s narrative of sovereignty and resistance to external interference, urging the Afghan diaspora to return to the country. Notably absent from the event, however, was any mention of the country’s women or the economic hardships faced by many Afghans. Instead, the focus was squarely on projecting an image of strength and control, as the group looks to consolidate its hold over Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s foreign policy has been heavily focused on what they term “economic diplomacy.” The group has sought to frame their external engagements in terms of mutual economic interests, downplaying political differences. According to the IEA’s Acting Foreign Minister, this approach is part of a “balanced foreign policy” that prioritizes economic cooperation over political recognition.

The Taliban view economic diplomacy as a means of gaining legitimacy both at home and abroad. By securing economic partnerships with neighboring countries and beyond, the Taliban aims to present itself as a capable and pragmatic actor on the global stage, capable of delivering development and stability.

While the Taliban continues to criticize Western countries for their negative portrayal of the regime, they simultaneously call for increased economic partnerships and investment in Afghanistan’s development. This dual approach allows the group to deflect international pressure on human rights and inclusive governance while showcasing their diplomatic successes to both domestic and international audiences.

Growing Assertiveness and Challenges to International Engagement

Despite their efforts to gain legitimacy, the Taliban’s approach remains fraught with contradictions. Their participation in the third Doha conference in 2024, in place of women and civil society groups, sparked widespread criticism. Additionally, the Taliban barred the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Richard Bennett, from entering Afghanistan, further raising concerns about the regime’s stance on human rights and inclusivity.

The Taliban’s directive to diplomatic missions in Europe, instructing them to cease issuing documents such as passports and visas, also reflects their growing assertiveness. While formal recognition from Western nations remains a long-term goal for the regime, the Taliban are using the current status quo to entrench their hold on Afghanistan and assert control over its institutions.

As the Taliban continues to expand its diplomatic footprint, more countries may begin to accredit their diplomats, further enhancing trade and economic cooperation. However, security concerns, particularly regarding terrorism and regional stability, will likely dominate these engagements. For regional players, engaging with the Taliban is seen as a necessary hedge to maintain stability and counter the growing threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, for the people of Afghanistan, particularly women and marginalized groups, the Taliban’s increasingly insulated regime offers little hope for improved rights and freedoms. The ratification of virtue laws by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice underscores the group’s commitment to enforcing its conservative policies, infringing on the daily lives of both men and women. As the Taliban navigates its path between international engagement and internal repression, the future of Afghanistan remains deeply uncertain.