Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Mirdef Al-Qashouti, Qatar’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul, to discuss the strengthening of diplomatic relations and regional issues, the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

During the meeting, Muttaqi described ties between the two countries as important and expressed gratitude for what he called Qatar’s “vital” role in supporting the Taliban at international forums and meetings.

According to the ministry’s statement, Al-Qashouti said that Qatar-Afghanistan relations under Taliban control were “progressing” and reaffirmed Qatar’s readiness to assist in strengthening the Taliban’s foreign relations.

Qatar has played a key role in both bilateral and multilateral engagement with the Taliban and remains one of the few countries maintaining formal political contact with the group.

In 2013, with the approval of the United States and the former Afghan government, Qatar permitted the opening of the Taliban’s political office in Doha. This office later served as the main platform for peace talks between the United States and the Taliban.

Although Qatar has not formally recognised the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan, it continues to engage with the group through sustained diplomatic channels.