Afghan Defence Minister’s high-level visit to Doha signals deepening Afghanistan Qatar relations amid regional challenges.
Kabul/Doha – Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, Afghanistan’s Minister of Defence, met Qatari officials in Doha on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, to strengthen Afghanistan Qatar relations 2025, focusing on defence cooperation and mutual support following recent regional tensions. The discussions, held at the Qatari Ministry of Defence headquarters, aimed to enhance strategic ties between the two nations, with no formal agreements signed but expressions of solidarity exchanged. This visit underscores Qatar’s role as a key mediator and partner for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Why It Matters for South Asia
In a region marked by geopolitical flux, the bolstering of Afghanistan Qatar relations 2025 holds significance for South Asia by promoting stability through diplomatic channels. Qatar’s mediation expertise, evident in past intra-Afghan dialogues, could facilitate broader regional security, indirectly benefiting neighbours like Pakistan and India by curbing cross-border threats and fostering economic linkages. Enhanced Qatar Afghanistan defence cooperation may also encourage multilateral efforts against terrorism, a persistent concern for the subcontinent.
High-Level Meetings Advance Bilateral Dialogue
The visit by Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid to Qatar represents a pivotal step in Afghanistan Qatar relations 2025. Accompanied by a delegation, the Afghan Defence Minister engaged in talks with Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs. The agenda centred on expanding cooperation across security and defence domains, reflecting a shared commitment to regional peace.
Enayatullah Khwarazmi, spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Defence, stated: “Respected Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid condemned the recent Zionist regime’s attack on Qatar and prayed for the victims of the incident. He also added that in these difficult times, the people and officials of Afghanistan stand beside the brotherly country of Qatar.” This condemnation refers to the Israeli strike on Doha on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, which targeted Hamas leaders and drew widespread international rebuke.
During the meeting, held at 10:00 AM local time, both sides emphasised the importance of dialogue to address mutual challenges. Suhail Shaheen, acting ambassador of the Islamic Emirate in Doha, confirmed: “Yesterday, the Minister of Defence of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, respected Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, met with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani, at the Ministry of Defence headquarters.” These interactions highlight the proactive stance of both governments in nurturing Qatar Afghanistan defence cooperation.
Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid also held discussions with Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, at 2:00 PM. The talks covered broader aspects of bilateral engagement, including economic support and humanitarian aid. Qatar has long supported Afghanistan through initiatives like the Doha peace process, initiated in 2013, which facilitated the 2020 US-Taliban agreement. In 2025, Qatar reaffirmed its commitment to Afghan stability during a UN Security Council briefing on Monday, June 24, 2025, where Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN, noted: “The State of Qatar took the initiative to establish the Doha peace track for Afghanistan in 2013 in cooperation with international partners.”
Qatar Afghanistan Defence Cooperation: A Strategic Focus
Under the umbrella of Qatar Afghanistan defence cooperation, the meetings addressed potential areas for joint efforts, such as counterterrorism and border security. Analysts view this as an extension of Qatar’s influential role in regional affairs, particularly given its hosting of US military facilities that supported Afghan evacuations in 2021. Hamidullah Hotaki, a political analyst, observed: “All diplomatic trips within the framework of governance have yielded good results. Any problem that Afghanistan has with any country, the only solution is diplomatic methods and dialogue, to sit at the negotiation table and talk.”
Qatar’s defence posture, bolstered by pacts with allies like the US and UK, positions it uniquely to assist Afghanistan. In a separate development, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Qatar and the US were nearing finalisation of an enhanced defence cooperation agreement, which could indirectly influence Qatar Afghanistan defence cooperation by strengthening Qatar’s regional capabilities.
The visit aligns with ongoing multilateral engagements. On Thursday, July 13, 2025, Dr. Murdif Al-Qashouti, Qatar’s Chargé d’Affaires in Kabul, met Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss upgrading diplomatic ties. Muttaqi’s telephonic conversation with Al-Khulaifi on Monday, September 1, 2025, further reinforced solidarity post the Doha incident. These interactions demonstrate a consistent trajectory in Afghanistan Qatar relations 2025.
Qatar’s humanitarian contributions underscore the multifaceted nature of ties. On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Qatar operated an air bridge delivering aid to earthquake-hit areas in eastern Afghanistan, including field hospitals and supplies for 11,000 people, as directed by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. The Qatar Fund for Development continues to support infrastructure, complementing defence-focused dialogues.
Background
Qatar’s engagement with Afghanistan dates back to the Doha talks, which paved the way for political transitions. Since 2021, Doha has hosted UN-led processes on counter-narcotics and private sector development, with the next meetings scheduled for late June 2025. In Brussels on Tuesday, June 18, 2025, Qatar participated in the Senior Officials Meeting on Afghanistan, committing to inclusive solutions. These efforts have sustained Qatar Afghanistan defence cooperation amid global scrutiny of Afghanistan’s governance.
What’s Next for Afghanistan Qatar Relations 2025
Looking ahead, the momentum from this visit could lead to formal pacts in Qatar Afghanistan defence cooperation, potentially including training exchanges or intelligence sharing. With upcoming UN General Assembly sessions in New York starting Monday, September 22, 2025, both nations may coordinate on regional security. Analysts anticipate further delegations to build on these foundations, ensuring Afghanistan Qatar relations 2025 evolve towards mutual prosperity and stability.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 18th, 2025
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