A United States delegation accompanied by former envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Adam Seth Boehler surprisingly visited Kabul on March 20, generating headlines across the globe.

Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi met the US delegation in Afghanistan. The visit came at a time when speculation is growing that the Donald Trump administration is renewing its terms of engagement with the Taliban government.

An hour later Khalilzad wrote on his X account that a US national had been released by the Taliban. George Glezmann, a 65-year-old American citizen, was visiting Kabul as a tourist when he was detained by the Afghan government intelligence services on December 5, 2022.

Khalilzad called the release a ‘goodwill gesture’ towards President Trump by the Taliban. A few minutes later, the Afghan foreign minister also confirmed the release of the US citizen. The ministry said in a statement that the Afghan government reaffirms longstanding position that dialogue, understanding and diplomacy play a crucial role in resolving all issues.

In the meantime, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also confirmed the release of US citizen and wrote on his X account that Glezmann is on his way to reunite with his family after two and half years. According to the foreign ministry of Qatar, the process was facilitated by the Qatari government. The foreign ministry of Qatar said in a statement they facilitated the release of the Glezmann from Taliban custody. The statement added that the US citizen had arrived in Doha and was set to depart home.

According to the statement of the Afghan foreign ministry, both sides discussed ways to enhance biliteral relations and further engagements. The ministry added that Muttaqi said during the meeting that the two countries must overcome the effects of the two-decade war and to have positive political and economic relations. The statement stated that Adam Buehler, U.S special envoy for hostage response, urged progress pertaining to prisoners between Afghanistan and the United States and highlighted Glezmann’s release as a good step towards trust building. He also appreciated efforts to combat narcotics and ensure security in Afghanistan. The US envoy emphasized the continuation of dialogue between the two countries and called for strengthening relations through dialogue. According to the statement he also highlighted the two countries historical relations that have faced problems at times, not important to look forward. According to reports that there are several US citizens, who have been detained in Afghanistan including, Mahmood Shah Habibi, an Afghan-origin US citizen.

Habibi’s family recently said that the State Department had discussions with the Taliban to release him from prison. The family also added that the State Department and Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured them that he will be released soon. However, the Taliban stated Habibi is not with them and they don’t have information regarding him either.

Meanwhile, the Head of US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations James E. Risch said that he is working closely with President Trump to release all US citizens who had been detained in Afghanistan.

According to reliable sources, the policy of the Trump administration has changed towards the Taliban and the US now wants to expand its relations to overcome the influence of China and Russia in the country. Moreover, Khalilzad was re-engaged in the process as he has worked previously as special envoy of the Afghan reconciliation process and spearheaded the Doha negotiations. Sources close to Zalmay Khalilzad have said that the Trump will give him a new position soon.

A few days after the US delegation’s visit to Kabul, the Trump administration has reportedly lifted bounties on several officials of the Taliban, according to Anas Haqqani, a senior member of the Taliban and brother of the minister of interior. According to him, the decision reflects the importance of Afghanistan to US and signals that the Taliban-led Afghan Interim Government is not a global threat.

Those whose names have been removed include Sirajuddin Haqqani, Yahya Haqqani and Abdul Aziz Haqqani. The US State Department has not commented officially on the claim yet and the confirmation from Washington remains pending so far. If the removal of these bounties is confirmed, it would make a significant shift in U.S policy toward the Taliban-led Afghan Interim Government, potentially paving the way for diplomatic engagement.

Days after the visit of the US delegation, a Pakistani delegation led by Special Representative landed in Afghanistan to hold talks with Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi. While the official statement from the Foreign Office said that both sides discussed ways to improve bilateral relations and trade ties, reports have revealed that plans for deeper engagement are in the works.

According to The Khorasan Diary, an Islamabad-based think tank and digital media outlet covering security and conflict, a full-year schedule of delegation visits is being finalized by both sides. This will also include a visit by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Kabul soon.

Speaking to Khabar Kada, Iftikhar Firdous, editor of The Khorasan Diary, said that back-channel contacts between Afghanistan and Pakistan have increased in recent weeks, particularly after the attack on the Jaffar Express, which Pakistan blamed on terror sanctuaries in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan already has relations with Haqqanis and Kabul-based factions, but in a new development there are indications from Kandahar about a will to take relations forward with Pakistan,” Firdous said. He added that a long-term solution could be in the works, where the Afghan side is willing discuss the matter of hideouts of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatist organizations as well.

Firdous added that Afghanistan has also showed a willing to discuss border issues, including Torkham as well.

“There are diplomatic pressures involved, not just from US but from Russia and China as well,” he said. There are also economic considerations as trade routes through Pakistan are cheaper for Pakistan.

While formal recognition of the Taliban regime might still be far away, there are indications that US could begin removing sanctions and restrictions on Taliban leaders immediately, Firdous added.

“In the current leadership crisis within the Afghan Taliban, it is possible that the role could go to a group with international backing,” Firdous said.