The pact was signed following a meeting between Taliban defence minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob and Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council. ET has learnt that the deal includes arms exchanges, licensing, military technologies, and joint development projects.

The contents of the agreement have not been officially disclosed.

Analysis: Experts say neither side has shared details of what Russia-Taliban military cooperation looks like – but it is unlikely to follow the North Korea model