Министра иностранных дел Беларуси Максим Рыженков с министром промышленности и торговли в правительстве Талибана Нуриддином Азизи 1 октября
The recent increase in visits by representatives of the Taliban government to Minsk is linked to arms purchases, Afghanistan International reports, citing senior sources, including former security officials.
The potential deals may involve weapons and drones. The transactions could be conducted through India and involve Indian financing, according to the outlet.
The details of the cooperation remain unknown, and it is also unclear what political and financial assistance India is providing in the process. The outlet notes that the Taliban, which faces Pakistan’s military superiority, needs drones and other weapons.
According to Afghanistan International, relations between the Taliban and Belarus warmed following a visit by the group’s defense minister to Moscow in June and his meetings with senior Russian officials. During the visit, Russia and the Taliban discussed military cooperation.
Afghanistan’s previous government, led by President Ashraf Ghani, had already used a similar arrangement involving India. At the time, the issue concerned the purchase of Mi-35 helicopters. According to one of the outlet’s sources, direct cooperation with Belarus was not possible because of the US position. As a result, the previous government concluded that a direct agreement could not be signed and that it was necessary to work through India. Official documents from that period show that India purchased four Mi-35 helicopters from Belarus and transferred them to the Afghan Air Force.
The Taliban may now be using a similar arrangement.
“At least two former senior military and security officials said that Belarus is a country that, through Indian mediation and with Russia’s approval, is prepared to provide the Taliban with some equipment, particularly drones,” the publication says.
A senior source close to the Taliban in Kabul confirmed to the outlet that agreements had been reached between the two sides and that these agreements were “largely reached at Russia’s request and in coordination with Russia.”
India’s position is driven by its conflict with Pakistan. Afghanistan International also draws attention to the Taliban’s increasing use of drones against Pakistan.
Afghanistan International contacted the foreign ministries of India and Belarus, as well as the Taliban administration, for comment on the issue, but none of the parties responded to its questions.
Recently, Taliban ministers of public health, industry and commerce, and agriculture visited Minsk during the INNOPROM exhibition. Earlier, representatives of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry and Industry Ministry traveled to Kabul.
In June 2026, the Indian Army received 106 kamikaze drones. They are believed to be a Belarusian development.