Russian deputy prime minister Alexei Overchuk was welcomed by a guard of honour when he arrived in Kabul on Thursday with a delegation of 70 Russian business people to conduct business talks with the Taliban government, according to Afghan officials.
Overchuk met Taliban prime minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar, and foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during the visit.
In a statement published on X, Abdul Ghani Baradar outlined Afghanistan's economic potential, highlighting its strategic location, abundant resources, and a workforce of 24 million people.
Baradar invited Russian companies to invest in agriculture, mining, and the construction of roads, railways, and factories, alongside proposing a special economic zone and expressing a wish to expand Afghan agricultural exports to Russia. He also asked Russia to provide the necessary facilities for Afghan products and to cooperate in reducing transport and transit costs.
A Russian news agency quoted Overchuk as saying that the delegation represents companies already operating in Afghanistan alongside many others wishing to start operations. Overchuk noted these companies work in transport, logistics, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, and mentioned Afghan interest in Russian chemical fertilisers and building local production plants.
Overchuk estimated that trade between Russia and Afghanistan in the first eight months of 2026 had more than doubled, reaching over 349 million dollars.
Russia officially recognised the Taliban government in July 2025, remaining the only state to take this step since the Taliban seized power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of the United States. Although no other country has formally recognised the regime, Taliban authorities have held high-level talks with many states and established specific diplomatic and economic relations with some governments.
Source: Euronews. Read the original report ↗