ISLAMABAD: The United States has rejected the Taliban’s call for American investment in Afghanistan, saying Washington has no plans to work with the group to develop the country’s critical mineral resources, according to the US State Department.
The response came after Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said the Taliban would welcome US investment in mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade.
A US State Department spokesperson told Voice of America that Washington does not plan to engage with the Taliban on developing Afghanistan’s critical mineral resources.
The spokesperson said the Taliban remain designated by the United States as a global terrorist organization.
The State Department also warned that American investment in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan could risk enabling further repression of Afghan citizens.
“US investment would put money into the hands of the Taliban,” the spokesperson said, adding that such investment could contribute to the group’s mistreatment of the Afghan people.
Muttaqi told the Financial Times that relations between Afghanistan and the United States should not be viewed solely through the lens of the two decades of war between the US-led coalition and the Taliban. Instead, he said, the relationship should focus on future cooperation.
He also described the Taliban’s economic policy as open to international engagement and investment.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said at a news conference Wednesday that the group wants good relations with all countries, including diplomatic and economic ties with the United States. He said stronger relations with Washington would benefit both sides.
Position unchanged: State Department
The State Department said its position toward the Taliban has not changed.
A State Department spokesperson previously told Afghanistan International that any normalization of relations with the Taliban would depend on fundamental changes in the group’s conduct, particularly regarding human rights.
Afghanistan has long been considered rich in mineral resources. Estimates made during the former Afghan republic valued the country’s mineral wealth at least $1 trillion.
The country is believed to possess significant deposits of lithium, cobalt, niobium and other minerals considered important to global supply chains.