Afghanistan and Russia are preparing another round of economic talks in Kabul, days after Russian envoy Zamir Kabulov praised the Taliban authorities’ counter-narcotics campaign despite a United Nations estimate showing a sharp rebound in opium cultivation.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met Kabulov, the Russian president’s special representative for Afghanistan, on Tuesday, 10 November. Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said the discussions centred on strengthening bilateral relations and increasing trade. It also reported that Kabulov commended the authorities’ efforts against narcotics and argued that some international organisations’ accounts did not reflect conditions on the ground. (Afghan Foreign Ministry)

The next step is expected on Thursday, when Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk is due to visit Kabul with a high-level economic delegation. Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said the visit would cover trade, investment and possible joint projects, but has not publicly detailed the programme or identified agreements expected to be signed. (Ariana News; Khaama Press)

The visit follows earlier talks in Moscow between Overchuk and Muttaqi on trade, energy, investment and transport links, according to Khaama Press. Kabulov said in October that bilateral trade had doubled in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, while describing the overall volume as modest, the outlet reported. The figures underline both the ambition and the limits of the relationship: growth from a small base is not yet evidence of a major economic shift.

A diplomatic claim meets new drug estimates

Kabulov’s praise of the counter-narcotics campaign comes against a sharply different data point. UNODC’s 2026 Afghanistan Opium Survey estimated that poppy cultivation rose from about 10,000 hectares in 2025 to more than 43,000 hectares this year. Estimated opium production increased from roughly 300 tonnes to just under 1,500 tonnes. The agency said cultivation nevertheless remains far below pre-ban levels. (UNODC survey coverage by UN News)

Taliban authorities have rejected the UNODC findings, saying the report does not accurately reflect their efforts. The competing statements do not, by themselves, resolve the disagreement: the UN figures are estimates from the agency’s survey, while the authorities have disputed the assessment. (Associated Press)

That distinction matters as Russia and the Taliban authorities pursue closer ties. Moscow became the first country to formally recognise the Taliban administration in 2025, and the two sides have continued high-level discussions on security and economic cooperation. The coming delegation could give substance to the trade agenda, but the public announcements so far establish plans for talks—not signed contracts, financing commitments or a specific increase in trade. (Associated Press)

For now, Kabul’s diplomatic message is one of economic opportunity and progress on narcotics; the UN survey presents a more qualified picture of the latter. Whether Thursday’s visit produces concrete commercial commitments—and whether Kabul or international monitors provide further evidence on the drug estimates—will show how far the renewed relationship extends beyond official statements.