7 hrs ago
Taliban Offers Afghan Mineral Wealth as Washington Weighs Engagement
Afghanistan has many valuable minerals underground, including lithium, copper and gold.
The Taliban-led government says American companies can invest in these resources.
It also wants investment in areas such as infrastructure, farming and trade.
In return, Kabul hopes the United States will ease sanctions and unlock frozen Afghan money.
These ideas come after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said future cooperation should matter more than the countries’ past war.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump has shown little interest in building ties with the Taliban.
The Taliban has already signed several mining agreements with China and Iran.
Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government says it welcomes American investment in mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade.
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi linked improved U.S. ties to future cooperation rather than the past 20 years of war.
U.S. and former Afghan government assessments estimate Afghanistan’s largely untapped mineral resources are worth at least $1 trillion.
Kabul reportedly hopes investment proposals will encourage Washington to lift sanctions and release frozen Afghan assets.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban has signed mining contracts worth more than $7 billion with countries including China and Iran.
- Who
- The Taliban-led Afghan government, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, the United States and potential American investors.
- What
- The Taliban is offering access to Afghanistan’s mineral wealth and other investment opportunities while seeking improved U.S. relations.
- Where
- Afghanistan, with the proposed investment focused on its mineral and other economic sectors.
- When
- The proposal was reported five years after the Taliban takeover and the 2021 withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO forces; Muttaqi’s interview was published Monday local time.
- Why
- Kabul wants foreign investment and reportedly hopes for eased sanctions and the release of frozen Afghan assets.
Taliban-led government’s position
U.S. position described in the report
Economic engagement
Taliban-led government’s position
The Taliban says Afghanistan’s economic policy is open and welcomes American investment in mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade.
U.S. position described in the report
The report says President Donald Trump has shown little to no willingness to establish ties with the Taliban.
Basis for relations
Taliban-led government’s position
Muttaqi says relations should be based on future cooperation rather than the previous 20 years of war.
U.S. position described in the report
Trump previously described the 2021 U.S. withdrawal and collapse of the U.S.-backed Afghan government as the “most embarrassing thing in the history of our country.”
Security and military presence
Taliban-led government’s position
Muttaqi says security at the U.S. embassy site is assured and rejects returning Bagram Air Base, calling military and civilian facilities Afghan assets.
U.S. position described in the report
Trump previously called for the return of Bagram Air Base.
Key facts
- Estimated mineral value
- At least $1 trillion in largely untapped resources.
- Minerals identified
- Copper, iron ore, niobium, cobalt, gold and lithium.
- Investment sectors offered
- Mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade.
- Taliban takeover
- The Taliban seized full control of Afghanistan in 2021.
- Existing mining contracts
- More than $7 billion in contracts have been signed since the Taliban returned to power.
- Requested U.S. measures
- Kabul wants sanctions eased and billions of dollars in Afghan assets unfrozen.
- Additional diplomatic request
- Muttaqi urged Washington to reopen the U.S. embassy in Kabul.
Quotes
Amir Khan Muttaqi
Foreign minister of the Taliban-led Afghan government
“Relations between Afghanistan and the United States should not be assessed through the lens of the past 20 years of war, but rather on the basis of future co-operation.”
livemint.com
“most embarrassing thing in the history of our country”
livemint.com
Sources
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