Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held a rare meeting on Thursday with U.S. officials in Kabul, where they discussed detainees, his office said.
"Bilateral relations, the release of prisoners, and consular services for Afghans in the United States" were among the topics discussed in the meeting between Muttaqi and U.S. official Adam Boehler, the foreign ministry said on X (formerly Twitter).
Boehler, who has been handling hostage affairs for the White House, was accompanied by Washington's former envoy to Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad.
The delegation marks the first from Washington since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, according to ministry spokesman Hafiz Zia Ahmad, who spoke to AFP.
Afghanistan and the U.S. "must move beyond the effects of 20 years of war and establish political and economic relations," said Muttaqi, who also called for "dialogue to resolve problems."
Boehler, who has been involved in efforts to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, reported "progress" on the issue of prisoners and welcomed the "positive step to build confidence," according to the Afghan ministry.
Washington did not immediately comment on the visit.
Taliban authorities announced late last month the arrest of a Chinese-American national on February 1 in the province of Bamiyan, a major tourist destination west of Kabul known for its giant Buddhas, which were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. Officials have not disclosed the reasons for the arrest.
In January, two Americans detained in Afghanistan—Ryan Corbett and William McKenty—were released in exchange for an Afghan fighter, Khan Mohammed, who had been convicted of narco-terrorism in the U.S.
The government in Kabul is not recognized by any country and has expressed hopes for "a new chapter" with the administration of Trump, who signed a peace deal with the Taliban during his first term in office.
With AFP
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