Nepal Rastriya Dainik
April 15, 2026 ,
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Trump says US seeking to regain Bagram Airfield from Taliban

Posted on by नेपाल राष्ट्रिय दैनिक

London – US President Donald Trump said Thursday that his administration is working to reclaim the former US Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan from the Taliban, framing it as a matter of strategic importance.

Speaking alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, calling it a mistake that left the airbase in Taliban control. “We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us,” Trump told reporters, though he did not specify what the Taliban might seek from the United States.

Trump underscored the base’s strategic value, noting its location “an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.” His remarks came amid reports that the Taliban, isolated on the world stage due to human rights abuses, have shown interest in improving ties with Washington.

According to Taliban officials, recent talks between their foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and US envoys Adam Boehler and Zalmay Khalilzad touched on the potential development of bilateral relations, issues concerning citizens, and investment opportunities in Afghanistan. While no formal agreements were announced, the discussions suggested cautious engagement between the two sides despite deep political and human rights divisions.

Russia becomes the first country to recognise Afghanistan’s Taliban government

Posted on by नेपाल राष्ट्रिय दैनिक

Russia has become the first country to formally recognise Taliban rule, with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi calling it a “courageous” decision.

He met Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul on Thursday, where Mr Zhirnov officially conveyed his government’s decision to recognise the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Muttaqi said it was “a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement”, and that the shift would serve as “an example” to other countries.

The Taliban have sought international recognition and investment since they returned to power in August 2021, despite reports of increasing violations on human rights.

“We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

It said Russia saw the potential for “commercial and economic” cooperation in “energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure”, and that it would continue to help Kabul to fight against the threats of terrorism and drug trafficking.

Russia was one of very few countries that did not close down their embassy in Afghanistan in 2021, and said on Telegram that “expanding the dialogue with Kabul” was critical in terms of regional security and economic development.

The country was also the first to sign an international economic deal with the Taliban in 2022, where they agreed to supply oil, gas and wheat to Afghanistan.

The Taliban was removed from Russia’s list of terrorist organisations in April this year with the intention to pave the way for the establishment of a “full-fledged partnership” with Kabul, according to the Russian foreign ministry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also referred to the Taliban as an “ally” in fighting terrorism in July last year, with representatives travelling to Moscow for talks as early as 2018.

The two countries have a complex history, after the Soviet Union invaded the country in 1979 and fought a nine-year war that cost them 15,000 personnel.

The decision to install a USSR-backed government in Kabul turned the Soviets into an international pariah, and they eventually withdrew from Afghanistan in February 1989.