“Meeting between High Commissioner and Afghan Representative unauthorised”

The Government of Maldives has clarified that a meeting in Islamabad between the Maldives High Commissioner to Pakistan and a representative of Afghanistan was not sanctioned by the Government. Consequently, appropriate action has been taken by the authorities. The Maldives Government reiterated that it adheres to the principles followed by the United Nations General Assembly when addressing the representative legitimacy of governments. In line with this practice, the Maldives recognises the Government of Afghanistan as represented at the United Nations as the legitimate government. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Maldives High Commissioner’s meeting with an Afghan representative took place without the prior knowledge or authorisation of the Maldives Government and necessary measures have now been implemented. The Taliban currently control Afghanistan; however, the Taliban government has not been recognised by the international community.