After Russia became the first country to officially recognise the Taliban government, China has welcomed the move, fuelling speculation it may be next. As regional powers deepen ties with Kabul, questions mount about the global legitimacy of Afghanistan’s isolated rulers.

Russia becomes first country to recognise Afghanistan’s Taliban regime. Will China follow? - Experts monitoring the Taliban’s new diplomacy push in Asia say China could follow suit, paving the way for wider recognition of the militant group and ending its pariah status on the world stage.

Russia has become the first country to formally recognize the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan since it seized power in 2021, after Moscow removed the group from its list of outlawed organizations