Following Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, a senior official of the Taliban has told NHK the group hopes to improve relations with Washington.

Suhail Shaheen, head of the Taliban's political office in Doha, said in an online interview, "We are open to positive engagement with the world and also the United States."

His office handles diplomatic affairs of the Taliban interim government.

Referring to a peace deal the Trump administration signed with the Taliban in 2020 that paved the way for US troops to withdraw from Afghanistan, Shaheen said, "It seems Mr. Trump is more pragmatic, and I think we need to be realistic in solution of issues."

Shaheen voiced hope for cooperation in areas such as natural resources development.

The US and other countries continue to impose strict sanctions on the Taliban over its violations of women's rights. China and Russia, meanwhile, are forging closer relations with the group.

Some experts say that with Trump back in the White House, the US may try to build stronger ties with the Taliban.