Taliban’s response to claims of Chinese presence in Bagram and ICC Ruling

KABUL: Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister, in response to the claims of the U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the military presence of China at Bagram Airfield said that the Taliban do not tolerate foreign military presence in Afghanistan and oppose it. He also called for positive engagement with the United States, asserting that the Taliban’s foreign policy is neutral. This came after Trump alleged that Chinese troops were stationed at Bagram Airfield. In another part of his speech, Muttaqi addressed the recent ruling by the International Criminal Court (ICC), declaring that the Taliban does not recognize this court. The ICC had previously issued arrest warrants for Hebatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s leader, and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, the head of the group’s judiciary, on charges of crimes against humanity. Muttaqi also expressed gratitude for Russia’s recognition of the Taliban and urged other countries to take practical steps in this regard.