Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2 min read | 4:45 pm CAT

Afghanistan’s government has signed a provincial agreement with Russia to import petroleum products and wheat at a discount.

The deal includes the annual purchase of 1 million tons of petrol, diesel, half a million tons of cooking gas and 2 million tons of wheat.

An independent political analyst interested in Afghanistan, Hashmatullah Mosli, speaks to Radio Islam International.

Russia had previously tried to invade Afghanistan many years ago. Mosli said the Russia of today is not the Soviet Union of the 1980s as that has collapsed and there now is a new government for around 30 years.

The current government of Russia has extended a helping hand to the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

The Emirate of Afghanistan is now desperate for economic relief and support. Hence they welcome their Russian deal. However, the Taliban government is not recognised as the legitimate government by Russia.

According to Mosli, Russia has pursued pragmatic politics as they know that the reality on the ground is that the Taliban are in power. Regardless of the diplomatic differences and their vision for the region.

Russia would like to be seen globally as a country trying to stabilise and help the region.

The deal has been signed, although not much has come out of Russia surrounding the details of it.

Mosli says, “We don’t know how the Taliban will pay back the Russians.”

However, Mosli suggests that the Taliban can pay back the Russian government through conveys of goods which travel to South East Asia, through Afghanistan customs into Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and ultimately to Russia.

“Tariffs would be reduced for some or payment to be made.”

Listen below to the interview with Moulana Habib Bobat and Hashmatullah Mosli on Radio Islam’s podcast.