UAE accepted the Taliban ambassador only last year

Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Interior Sirajuddin Haqani and Head of the General Directorate of Intelligence Abdul Haq Wasiq met the United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday.

According to Afghan Interim Government’s Spokesman Zabihullah, the meeting took place in Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi where both sides discussed the current situation of Afghanistan, enhancement bilateral relations and the rehabilitation of Afghanistan’s economy.

Haqqani appreciated UAE’s humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan and urged to expand biletral relations between the two countries.

Zaibhullah said that the trip comes a few days after Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi paid a visit to the UAE along with a Taliban delegation.

UAE has sent a substantial amount of aid to Afghanistan over the years. According to UAE’s Foreign Minsitry, $1.5 billion in aid was sent to the country between 2001 and 2012 and a further $433 million was sent in the next five years.

The oil-rich gulf country finally accepted the credentials of the Taliban ambassador sent by Kabul in 2024. The development came three years after Taliban deposed the Ashraf Ghani government and seized power after the US withdrawal.