In the midst of constricting sanctions and increasing isolation by the West for its invasion of Ukraine, Russia on Saturday completed the official handover of the Afghanistan embassy in Moscow to the Taliban. Jamal Garwal who was accredited in late March 2022 as Charge d’Affaires in Afghanistan Embassy in Moscow took charge and the Islamist group’s flag was hoisted inside the mission premises. “The Ministry of Foreign Affair) of IEA (Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan) expresses gratitude to the government of the Russian Federation for accrediting the Afghan diplomat and facilitating the role of the Afghan Embassy in ensuring bilateral relations and providing timely services to its citizens in Russia”, said Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan. (https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/afghan-embassy-in-moscow-handed-over-to-taliban-flag-hoisted/ar-AAW3ClI) Moscow’s move is a result of a series of talks with the Taliban since last year when it took over Kabul in August. But the talks started gaining momentum January onwards. In March during the talks on Afghanistan that were hosted by China in Tunxi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, the international community must engage with the Taliban government in Kabul.