Representatives of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) travelled to Indonesia earlier in July on an unofficial visit, the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta said on Tuesday, despite Kabul saying they held meetings with politicians in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.

The IEA is trying to shore up recognition of its rule across the Islamic world, including courting Indonesia to boost political and economic ties, AFP reported.

But Indonesia has not recognised the legitimacy of the IEA government since it resumed its rule two decades after US-led forces toppled their regime.

“My understanding is that they were in Jakarta informally for internal matters with the Afghanistan mission here,” Indonesian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told AFP.

He said the visit could not be described as a delegation, as that could imply “some sort of formality”.

But the Afghan deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hafiz Zia Ahmad, tweeted on July 14 that a delegation, led by Maghfurullah Shahab, deputy director of the political division of the ministry, visited Indonesia.

“The delegation held useful meetings and discussions with some scholars, politicians and businessmen in Indonesia for strengthening bilateral political and economic relations,” he wrote.

The official did not disclose which Indonesian politicians met with the Afghan delegation.

Faizasyah said there were no official meetings between Afghan and Indonesian government officials.