A cabinet minister with the Taliban interim government in Afghanistan has signaled that his country will seek stronger ties with the BRICS group of emerging economies that includes Russia and China.
Minister of Commerce and Industry Haji Nooruddin Azizi spoke to NHK in Kabul on Sunday.
Azizi expressed his opposition to the US and other nations imposing economic sanctions on Afghanistan, claiming that the Taliban are restricting women’s education and job opportunities.
Azizi said there are no human rights issues or gender discrimination in the country. He said there should be no obstacles for other countries to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government.
Azizi expressed his dissatisfaction with Japan aligning itself with Western countries when it comes to human rights issues in Afghanistan. He said Japan had better judge Afghan people from its own perspective, without considering the ideas of the US or other countries.
Azizi touted the country’s ties with China and Russia, which are assisting projects including the development of natural resources in Afghanistan.
The interview came after Afghanistan said it would seek to join a BRICS economic forum next month in Russia. Azizi said the bloc’s increasing global influence is beneficial for his country.
Azizi also referred to Israel’s offensive in Gaza and Lebanon. He said it is unacceptable that Palestinian and Lebanese children have been killed without reason.