The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Five years after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, the United Kingdom remains committed to engaging with the country and supporting its people, the UK’s special envoy for Afghanistan said Saturday.
Richard Lindsay, writing on X, said Afghanistan’s future matters “to Afghans first and foremost,” as well as to the wider region and the United Kingdom.
Lindsay said he had engaged with Taliban officials in Kabul on key British priorities, including counterterrorism, regional security and the rights of women and girls. He said dialogue with the Taliban was important but must be accompanied by concrete action.
“My message has been clear: dialogue matters but I have made clear it must be matched by action,” Lindsay said, calling for the Taliban to uphold counterterrorism commitments, address regional security threats and respect the rights of women and girls.
Lindsay also highlighted what he described as the hospitality, courage and determination of Afghans he met during visits over the past year. He said he had spoken with artisans, entrepreneurs, radio hosts and civil society figures and described their efforts as vital to Afghanistan’s future.
He said British aid was supporting health and nutrition services, education, protection programs, livelihoods and climate resilience across Afghanistan.
Lindsay also said he had held discussions with the international community about the need to engage with the United Nations-led political process on Afghanistan. In London, he met with Afghan activists, aid workers and members of the Afghan Women’s Refugee Cricket Team, saying the meetings provided opportunities to hear from Afghans from different backgrounds.
Looking ahead, Lindsay said Britain had renewed its commitment to the Afghan people and would provide £105 million ($141 million) annually over the next three years, or about 9.2 billion Afghanis per year, to support life-saving services, education, protection, livelihoods and climate resilience.
“Afghanistan faces immense challenges, but its people continue to show extraordinary strength and determination,” Lindsay said.
He added that Britain would continue to engage with and support Afghans working toward a more inclusive government and a more prosperous future.
