Russia seeks closer ties with Taliban to counter IS-K threat

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev conducted a landmark official visit to Islamabad, marking the first time a high-ranking Russian domestic affairs official has visited the country. The visit follows the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, involving Russia, China, India, and Iran.

Analysts suggest the diplomatic movement is driven by Moscow’s growing concern regarding the Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K). This extremist group has been linked to major attacks, including the 2021 Kabul airport bombing, 2024 explosions in Kerman, Iran, and the Crocus City Hall attack in Russia. Russia is seeking to deepen ties with the Taliban in an effort to curb IS-K activity.

In exchange for diplomatic recognition and security cooperation, the Taliban are reportedly seeking Russian military hardware, such as drones, to bolster their defense capabilities against Pakistan. This shifting dynamic has drawn international criticism due to the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights and political opponents. Omar Samad of the Atlantic Council described the warming relations not as a new alliance, but as a “regional reorganization with several layers” intended to create an Afghan buffer zone.