KABUL — Germany has confirmed holding talks with the Taliban in a bid to facilitate the deportation of Afghan nationals from its territory, according to media reports.
As reported by Deutsche Welle (DW), German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said delegations have engaged in “technical discussions” with the Taliban authorities in Qatar and that further meetings are planned in the coming weeks.
He added that Berlin is seeking to establish a process for “regular” deportations to Afghanistan.
The announcement follows Germany’s deportation of 81 Afghan nationals in July, the first such operation under Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government.
It marked the resumption of deportations after years of suspension due to Afghanistan’s fragile security situation following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. At the time, rights groups and Afghan diaspora organizations condemned the move, warning that returnees could face persecution or economic destitution.
The deportation policy comes amid a sharp rise in anti-refugee and anti-immigration sentiment in Germany. Far-right parties have gained political ground by calling for tougher migration controls and faster deportations, particularly after violent crimes involving asylum seekers made headlines.
Mainstream politicians have increasingly adopted a harder stance, with the government pledging to accelerate removals of rejected asylum applicants, including Afghans and Syrians.
Germany currently hosts one of the largest Afghan diasporas in Europe, with more than 300,000 Afghans residing in the country. Many arrived during and after the NATO withdrawal in 2021, when the Taliban seized power, while others had sought protection earlier during decades of conflict.
Berlin does not recognize the Taliban rule and maintains no official diplomatic ties with the group, but the ongoing talks in Qatar signal a shift toward pragmatic engagement on migration issues.
Human rights advocates warn that cooperation with the Taliban risks legitimizing the group while putting vulnerable Afghans at greater risk.
