Russian Intelligence Chief Naryshkin Visits Kabul for Talks with Taliban Spy Chief

Afghanistan: Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), has visited Kabul and held talks with Mawlawi Abdul Haq Wasiq, head of the Taliban administration’s General Directorate of Intelligence, Afghan media reported.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, intelligence sharing and security cooperation between Moscow and the Taliban authorities. Afghan media outlets, including the state-run Bakhtar News Agency and AtlasPress, reported the meeting on October 14.

However, neither side had publicly disclosed details of the discussions, the duration of Naryshkin’s visit or whether any specific agreements were reached.

Photographs circulated by Afghan news outlets and on social media showed Naryshkin meeting Wasiq and accompanying Taliban officials and security personnel. The visit was described by some outlets as unannounced, with no detailed official communiqué immediately available from Moscow or Kabul.

The reported visit comes amid closer political and security engagement between Russia and the Taliban administration. Moscow formally recognised the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in July 2025, becoming the first country to do so.

Since then, the two sides have pursued expanded contacts on regional security and political issues. Their engagement has included discussions through the Moscow Format on Afghanistan and contacts concerning security cooperation.

The meeting also comes amid continuing tensions between Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan. Russia has previously indicated its willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at easing regional tensions.

Naryshkin’s reported talks with Wasiq highlight the growing intelligence-level contacts between Moscow and the Taliban authorities. However, the precise outcomes of the meeting and any concrete steps agreed upon by the two sides remain unclear in the absence of detailed official statements.