UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday accepted the credentials of several new ambassadors, including Mawlana Badruddin, the representative of the Taliban.

In a ceremonial group photo taken at the presidential palace, Mawlana Badruddin is seen standing alongside Maria Belovas, the female ambassador of Estonia, on his right, and Ashrafjon Gulov, the ambassador of Tajikistan, on his left. Each envoy is positioned in front of their respective national flag—except for the Taliban ambassador, who stands without any flag behind him.

The United Arab Emirates, like the majority of countries worldwide, has not recognised the Taliban government. However, this development highlights the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the UAE and the Taliban. Notably, during the 1990s, the UAE, alongside Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, was among the few nations to officially recognise Taliban rule.