Kabul: The spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, has stated that Afghanistan aspires to maintain constructive and independent relations with all regional and global countries as a sovereign state. Speaking to Afghan media outlets, Mujahid emphasized that Afghanistan would not serve as a tool for any external power and would instead pursue a balanced foreign policy based on mutual respect and sovereignty.
“Afghanistan is not, and will never be, anyone’s proxy,” Mujahid asserted, responding to recent regional concerns about the Taliban regime’s foreign policy direction. “We want to engage with all nations — both within and beyond the region — as an independent and sovereign country that seeks peace, cooperation, and mutual benefit.”
Mujahid clarified that Afghanistan’s ties with India are based purely on independence and self-determination, rejecting the notion that such relations are influenced by Pakistan or any other state. “Our relations with India are independent and have no connection with Pakistan. We do not allow one country’s relationship with Afghanistan to affect another,” he said.
He further stressed that Afghanistan’s engagement with any country — whether India, Pakistan, Iran, or China — is driven by national interests rather than external agendas. “Afghanistan’s relations have never been against Pakistan or any of its neighbors. Our objective is to build trust and cooperation with every country in the region,” he added.
The Taliban spokesperson’s remarks come amid heightened regional tensions following Pakistan’s warnings over cross-border militancy and calls for the Afghan Taliban to prevent armed groups from using Afghan soil to launch attacks. Analysts see Mujahid’s statement as an attempt to project the Taliban government as a sovereign political entity seeking diplomatic normalization despite persistent security challenges.
