Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Taliban regime in Afghanistan was a reality and that it was combating terrorist organisations and had curbed opium production. In the exclusive interview to India Today Group, Putin reasoned why Moscow recognised the Taliban regime in Kabul.

In asserting that the Taliban was acting against terrorism, Putin has also destroyed Pakistan's narrative.

Islamabad has been alleging that the Taliban was fuelling terrorism in Pakistan through the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

It didn't stop there. Islamabad called the Taliban regime in Kabul a "puppet" of New Delhi, and claimed India was behind the rise in insurgency . India has categorically junked Pakistan's falsehoods.

Amid this war of words, Putin weighed in with a striking endorsement of the

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