Kabul to Host Regional Think Tank Meeting with Central Asian States

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan [Photo: Archive] Kabul will host a high-level meeting on Tuesday, bringing together research institutions from Afghanistan, Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan.According to the ministry of Foreing affairs, heads of strategic research centres, scholars and policy advisers linked to presidential offices from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan will participate in the gathering. The meeting comes at a time when Afghanistan’s broader regional diplomatic engagement remains uncertain, with the Taliban administration seeking to expand formal ties with neighbouring states while facing limited international recognition. Discussions at the forum focus on regional connectivity, stability, trade, energy cooperation, transit routes, investment and broader economic collaboration among participating countries. Officials said the meeting will also assess current cooperation between Afghanistan and Central Asia and propose practical, implementation-focused recommendations aimed at strengthening regional engagement. The session is set to open with remarks by Taliban Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who is expected to outline Afghanistan’s approach to a more economic and regionally balanced foreign policy. Afghanistan’s relations with Central Asian states have gradually expanded in areas such as trade, transit and infrastructure, particularly as regional countries seek new connectivity routes and economic partnerships. However, political uncertainty in Kabul continues to limit the depth of formal diplomatic engagement. Central Asian countries have maintained pragmatic engagement with Kabul, focusing on security concerns, border stability and economic cooperation, while avoiding full political recognition of the administration. This has created a cautious but ongoing channel of regional dialogue driven largely by economic interests. The post Kabul to Host Regional Think Tank Meeting with Central Asian States appeared first on Khaama Press.