Russia delegation visits Kabul to pursue Afghan economic ties

Russian deputy prime minister Alexei Overchuk arrived in Kabul with a delegation of 70 Russian business people to hold business talks with the Taliban government, and he was welcomed by a guard of honour, Afghan officials said.

Overchuk met Taliban prime minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, deputy prime minister for economic affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar and foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during the visit, according to a statement by the Afghan government published on X.

Abdul Ghani Baradar outlined Afghanistan’s potential for economic development and investment, citing its strategic location, abundant resources and a workforce of 24 million people, and he invited Russian companies to invest in agriculture, mining, construction of roads, railways and factories, and to establish a special economic zone in Afghanistan.

Baradar also expressed a desire to expand exports of Afghan agricultural products to Russia and asked Russia to provide facilities for Afghan products to reach Russian markets and to cooperate in reducing transport and transit costs.

Alexei Overchuk said the Russian delegation represented companies already operating in Afghanistan and noted that many others want to start operating in the country, adding that the companies represented work in transport, logistics, agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

Overchuk said the Afghan government is interested in Russian chemical fertilisers and in building fertiliser production plants on Afghan soil.

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, and it remains the only state to have done so since the Taliban seized power in August 2021 after the United States withdrawal, while the Taliban authorities have held high-level talks with many states and established specific diplomatic and economic relations with some governments.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The visit signals a deepening of economic engagement between Russia and the Taliban government through direct government-level meetings and business delegations.

Invitations from Abdul Ghani Baradar to invest across multiple sectors and to create a special economic zone suggest Afghan authorities are actively seeking foreign investment to leverage their stated demographic and resource advantages.

The emphasis on fertiliser supply chains, transport and transit facilitation indicates both sides prioritise practical trade measures that could lower costs and expand market access.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Alexei Overchuk led a 70-strong Russian business delegation to Kabul and received a guard of honour.
• Meetings included Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Abdul Ghani Baradar and Amir Khan Muttaqi.
• Abdul Ghani Baradar highlighted Afghanistan’s strategic location, abundant resources and a workforce of 24 million people to attract investment.
• Baradar invited Russian investment in agriculture, mining, roads, railways, factories and a special economic zone.
• Baradar requested Russian cooperation to facilitate Afghan exports to Russian markets and reduce transport costs.
• Overchuk said delegation companies work in transport, logistics, agriculture and pharmaceuticals and noted interest in Russian chemical fertilisers and local production plants.
• Trade between Russia and Afghanistan in the first eight months of 2026 exceeded 349 million dollars according to Overchuk.
• Russia recognised the Taliban government in July 2025 and remains the only state to have done so.