Kabul: The Taliban-led interim government in Afghanistan has expressed its desire to establish new diplomatic relations with the United States by moving past the era of conflict.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized in an interview with CBS News that Afghanistan aims to turn the page on war and engage in constructive dialogue with the U.S.
Balkhi also addressed concerns regarding military equipment left behind by American forces, asserting that these assets rightfully belong to Afghanistan and will remain under its control. “These are state assets, and they will remain in the possession of Afghanistan. Nations negotiate based on common interests, not by bargaining over their sovereign resources,” he stated.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration for leaving behind military hardware worth billions of dollars in Afghanistan. He has also called for the return of these assets. However, the Afghan government maintains that such matters should be addressed through diplomatic engagement rather than external pressure.
Meanwhile, the Taliban government has denied any agreements regarding the transfer of Bagram Airbase to foreign powers. In response to Trump’s remarks on the strategic significance of the base, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate clarified that neither the U.S. nor China has been granted control over it.
