As the Afghan foreign minister meets his US counterpart in Washington, Al Jazeera has learnt of secret talks between Taliban-linked mediators and Afghan officials, which could lead to wider negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

The deal involves the return to Afghanistan of Gulbbaldin Hekmatyar, the former prime minister, whose forces fight alongside the Taliban.

It involves a complex and delicate round of meetings from the heart of Afghanistan to Dubai, London and Saudi Arabia.

From Kabul James Bays has this exclusive report.