U.S.-Taliban Engagement Deepens As Haqqani Figures Quietly Shift Off Sanctions Radar

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Interior Minister under the Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan, continues to draw international attention as signs of evolving U.S. policy emerge. Sources close to the Haqqani network have told Afghan outlet Tolo News that the reward designations on key figures of the group have been lifted by the U.S. government. According to these sources, Sirajuddin Haqqani, along with Abdul Aziz Haqqani and Yahya Haqqani, are no longer included on the U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice list.

This development follows a period of growing engagement between the United States and the de facto Afghan authorities. Earlier this month, a U.S. delegation visited Kabul for the first time since 2021, reportedly focusing on the release of American detainees. One of those detainees, George Glezmann, was subsequently freed after over two years in custody and returned to the United States.

Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, told Afghan media that while the return of detained Americans was the top priority of the visit, broader and longer-term issues were also discussed with Taliban officials. She did not elaborate on those discussions, citing political sensitivity.

While Sirajuddin Haqqani's profile has indeed been removed from the State Department's Rewards for Justice website, his name remains listed on the FBI's Most Wanted database with no visible changes to his profile or the reward amount. This contrast has raised questions about the exact nature of the changes, and whether they reflect a shift in designation or are part of a phased diplomatic strategy.

Symbolically, anti-U.S. slogans once painted on the walls of the former U.S. Embassy in Kabul have reportedly been removed. This act, though subtle, aligns with a growing trend of more moderate and engagement-focused messaging from the current leadership.

At the regional level, India has also confirmed its ongoing engagement with the Taliban government. On March 20, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated that New Delhi had chosen to engage with those in control in Afghanistan, driven by humanitarian imperatives. India has provided large-scale food aid, COVID-19 vaccines, and development assistance since August 2021, and Indian envoys have met with top Taliban officials in recent months.

India's approach mirrors a broader recalibration of regional strategy. As the U.S. looks to stabilize its influence in South Asia, some analysts suggest that India may become a more active partner in shaping regional outcomes, while traditional players such as Pakistan-closely aligned with China-may find their roles shifting in the evolving landscape.

Although there is no official confirmation from U.S. authorities regarding a change in Haqqani's legal designation, the combination of recent diplomatic activity, removals from key sanctions lists, and a shift in regional posture point to a growing willingness by international actors to engage in measured, pragmatic dialogue with the Afghan leadership.

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