Relationship dossier
Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia
Relationship assessment
A relationship shaped by Saudi assistance and engagement, alongside recurring questions of recognition and Taliban rule.
Afghanistan toward Saudi Arabia
+15Afghan governments have engaged Saudi Arabia through diplomatic and religious channels. Afghan representatives took part in the Saudi-hosted conference of Afghan religious scholars in Mecca in 2018, which addressed the conflict in Afghanistan.
Saudi Arabia toward Afghanistan
+20Saudi Arabia has provided assistance to Afghanistan and hosted initiatives concerning Afghan religious leaders and peace efforts. It withdrew recognition from the first Taliban government in 2001 and has not recognized the Taliban authorities that returned to power in 2021.
Overall relationship
+15The relationship includes Saudi assistance and recurring engagement on Afghan religious and peace issues, but has been affected by Saudi decisions on recognition of Taliban governments. These features support a generally cooperative but qualified bilateral relationship.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Afghan governments have engaged Saudi Arabia on religious affairs, peace efforts and bilateral diplomacy. Saudi Arabia has provided assistance to Afghanistan and hosted Afghan religious and peace-related initiatives. Relations have also been shaped by Saudi Arabia’s withdrawal of recognition from the first Taliban government and its non-recognition of the Taliban authorities that returned to power in 2021.
Areas of tension
- Saudi Arabia’s non-recognition of Taliban-led authorities in Afghanistan.
- Saudi Arabia’s withdrawal of recognition from the first Taliban government in 2001.
Key developments
Saudi Arabia withdrew recognition from the first Taliban government.
Saudi Arabia hosted a conference of Afghan religious scholars in Mecca focused on the conflict in Afghanistan.
The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan; Saudi Arabia did not recognize the new authorities.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of Saudi assistance to Afghanistan are unclear.
- The extent of direct Saudi engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities is uncertain.