Former UK Defence Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood has called for greater engagement with the Taliban administration, arguing that continued international isolation of Afghanistan could strengthen extremist groups such as ISIS and expand China’s influence in the country.
Writing in an opinion article published by the Telegraph, Ellwood said the current Western approach toward Afghanistan no longer serves Britain’s strategic interests and should be replaced with a policy based on active diplomacy and practical engagement.
The former Conservative MP acknowledged ongoing concerns over the rights of Afghan women and girls but argued that repeated public condemnation and diplomatic isolation have failed to change the Taliban’s policies.
According to Ellwood, direct dialogue offers a more effective path for addressing Afghanistan’s security and political challenges while protecting long-term regional stability.
He warned that leaving Afghanistan isolated creates opportunities for extremist organizations to exploit instability and allows rival powers to increase their influence in the region.
Ellwood has previously drawn attention for his views on Afghanistan. In 2023, he stated that the country had become more stable under Taliban rule than in previous years, comments that sparked widespread criticism across the United Kingdom.
The controversy surrounding those remarks ultimately contributed to his resignation as chairman of the House of Commons Defence Committee.
His latest comments are likely to reignite debate within British political circles over whether Western governments should maintain their current policy of limited engagement or adopt a more pragmatic approach toward Afghanistan.
While several countries have expanded technical contacts with Taliban authorities in recent years, no major Western government has formally recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
From Nimruz TV’s perspective, Ellwood’s remarks reflect a growing debate in parts of the West over whether continued diplomatic isolation advances security and humanitarian objectives or whether limited engagement is necessary to address regional stability, counterterrorism and migration challenges.
