INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Specialists say Russias move to end up being the very first nation to formally recognize the rule of the Taliban federal government in
Afghanistan is largely symbolic rather than one that changes the existing relations between Moscow and Kabul.Recognition of Islamic Emirate
of Afghanistan is, one method or another, no more than a symbolic gesture, highlighting the friendly nature of relations between Moscow and
Kabul at a time when the Kremlin is losing allies on the international stage, stated Ruslan Suleymanov, a specialist on Central Asia.This
recognition is unlikely to substantially alter the present state of affairs, Suleymanov included, however the Taliban, who do not shy away
from symbolism, will be grateful to Moscow though largely on a symbolic level
According to Russian Ambassador to Kabul Dmitry Zhirnov, the choice to acknowledge the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was made by President
Vladimir Putin at the idea of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.Zhirnov included that the relocation shows Russias genuine desire to build a
full-fledged collaboration with Afghanistan.Russia had earlierlifted its designation of the Taliban as a terrorist company in April, almost
a year after Putin called the Taliban allies in the battle versus terrorism.Afghanistans federal government, for its part, called the
recognition a brave decision.Yet contrary to common belief, the choice had not come easily, stated Nikita Smagin, an expert on Russian
foreign policy in the Middle East.Discussions have been continuous because the Taliban took power in Afghanistan
If there had been complete agreement, the Taliban flag would have been raised over the embassy in Moscow much earlier, Smagin stated, adding
that Russias Foreign Ministry favored acknowledgment while attitudes within Russias security services were even more ambivalent.Smagin also
stated that the recognition provides limited tactical advantages as the Taliban are unlikely to be trusted partners, and Afghanistan itself
can not compare to Syria or Iran in terms of tactical importance.Political expert and Afghanistan specialist Andrei Serenko stated that
todays news from Russia has actually upset lots of Afghans, referring to those who oppose Taliban rule.The Taliban went back to power in
2021 after toppling the foreign-backed government and have given that enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
