In a meeting on Monday in Kabul with Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said Moscow will remove the Islamic Emirate from its blacklist in order to boost political and economic ties between the two countries.

According to a statement issued by Baradar’s office, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) name will be removed from the list in the near future.

In addition, the visiting delegation, headed by Shoigu, also voiced support for the planned Trans-Afghan railway project, that aims to improve trade and transportation between Central and South Asia.

The project includes the Trans-Afghan Corridor, a $4.8 billion railway project that connects Afghanistan and Uzbekistan to Pakistani ports.

Shoigu meanwhile also expressed readiness to commence practical economic cooperation, especially following agreements made during the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum in June this year.

The delegation further noted that Russian investors and state-owned companies are keen to invest in Afghanistan in areas such as mining, transportation, and agriculture.

Monday’s meeting was also attended by Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce; Qari Din Mohammad Hanif, Minister of Economy; Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk; Zamir Kabulov, the Russian President’s Special Representative for Afghanistan; and several other officials from both countries.

During the meeting, discussions focused on strengthening political relations, enhancing economic cooperation, increasing trade and transit activities, and encouraging Russian investments in Afghanistan.

Baradar in turn emphasized the IEA’s foreign policy and that it centered on economic priorities.

He stated that with the restoration of security and stability in Afghanistan, the country has become a hub for economic cooperation, trade, and transit in the region, benefiting not only Afghanistan but also the surrounding region.

He added that the IEA is striving to ensure the country’s security and economic growth.

To this end, it has banned the cultivation of narcotics and eliminated groups that harm Afghanistan’s and the region’s security and economy.

He said raising the level of formal relations between the two countries would create numerous opportunities for tangible progress in the economic sector.

He also stated that the IEA would play a positive role as a responsible economic partner in the region.

Both sides also stressed the need for the creation of a joint governmental commission to foster extensive cooperation in trade, transit, and investment. Under this commission, various subcommittees would also be established to work on specific areas.

Sergei Shoigu, the head of Russia’s Security Council, said on Monday that Moscow hopes to see Afghanistan regain its status as an observer member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations (SCO).

According to a statement issued by ARG, Shoigu met on Monday in Kabul with Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, where he spoke about the issue.

Shoigu also highlighted Russia's desire to expand trade and economic ties with Afghanistan.

He emphasized Russia's willingness to invest in vital sectors such as railways, transportation, industry, agriculture, energy, and mining.

Shoigu also commented on Afghanistan's political stability and security improvements and said these have been crucial in attracting Russian investment.

Shoigu also met with Acting Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob Mujahid.

These meetings come just a day after Russia’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov announced that a high-level Russian delegation would visit Kabul. He did not however provide details on who this would involve.

Shoigu served as Minister of Defence of Russia from 2012 to 2024 before taking over as Secretary of Russia’s Security Council.

Russia has been slowly building ties with the Islamic Emirate since it regained power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy cup will arrive in Afghanistan on Tuesday as part of the Global Trophy Tour, Afghanistan’s Cricket Board (ACB) said Monday.

Last week, the ICC confirmed the start of their Global Trophy Tour for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy cup.

The trophy’s tour kicked off in Islamabad on November 16 and ended Monday.

The trophy will now move on to Afghanistan, and will tour the country for three days.

Next month, the trophy will tour Bangladesh, followed by South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, England, and India in that order before returning to Pakistan for the start of the ODI tournament on January 27.

According to the ICC, the international Trophy Tour for the silverware will provide special engagement for global fans through dynamic, colourful engagements that speak to the event's new-look visual identity.

Anurag Dahiya, ICC Chief Commercial Officer, expressed his pleasure at the launch of the event last week.

“We are delighted to launch the Trophy Tour with DP World ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, where another action-packed programme of activity is available to fans across the world.”

He went on to describe the experience that awaited fans.

“The silverware, which will be showcased across all participating nations, will allow the sport’s passionate fanbase to enjoy the unforgettable experience of being up close with the iconic trophy,” Dahiya said.

Originally known as the ICC Knockout when it was staged in 1998 in Dhaka, Bangladesh and in 2000 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The event was then renamed the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 and was held every two years until 2009.

Subsequently the event moved to a four year cycle and features the top eight teams in the ICC one-day rankings.

The first round comprises two groups of four with the top two in each group progressing to the semi-finals and the winners contesting the final.

The event is short, sharp and highly competitive.

The tournament, scheduled to start late January, is supposed to take place in Pakistan but due to India’s refusal to play in their neighboring country, the ICC is scheduled to convene a meeting of its executive board on Tuesday to find a solution.