India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti, on Wednesday outlined the country’s position while addressing a meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on the situation in Afghanistan in the aftermath of the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban.
India has called for “concrete progress” by the Taliban set up to ensure that UN-sanctioned terror groups do not get support from Afghan soil or from terrorist sanctuaries in the region and reiterated that terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to Afghanistan and to the region.
Speaking at the briefing, T S Tirumurti said, “Resolution 2593 also lays down the expectations of the international community in terms of an inclusive and representative political settlement with meaningful participation of women and minorities and diverse political-ethnic groups in the country, the importance of upholding human rights including those of women, children and minorities, and the requirement to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.’’
”Peace and Security in Afghanistan is a critical imperative that all of us need to collectively strive for. “The recent developments in Afghanistan will have a significant impact on the neighbouring countries and the wider region with global implications,” he added.
As Afghanistan’s contiguous neighbour and long-standing partner, India is concerned about recent developments in the country, particularly the deteriorating humanitarian situation, he said. India also shares the concerns of the international community on issues such as humanitarian assistance, ensuring the formation of a truly inclusive and representative government, combating terrorism, and preserving the rights of women, children, and minorities.
The Indian Envoy to the UN further noted that Peace and security in Afghanistan is a critical imperative that all of us need to collectively strive for. The recent developments in Afghanistan will have a significant impact on the neighbouring countries and the wider region with global implications.
He highlighted that India calls for an inclusive dispensation in Afghanistan which represents all sections of Afghan society. A broad-based, inclusive, and representative formation is necessary for internal legitimacy,” he added.
India reiterates its commitment to humanitarian aid for Afghanistan:
India has committed to provide 50,000 tonnes of wheat, lifesaving medicines, and one million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to the Afghan people. “We have already dispatched three shipments of humanitarian assistance consisting of medicines and Covid medicines,’’ said the ambassador.
The Indian envoy called on the council to ensure against any possible diversion of funds and misuse of exemptions from sanctions, adding that the “humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan should be direct and without any hindrance.”
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also told the Security Council on Wednesday that Afghanistan is “hanging by a thread,” with millions suffering extreme hunger, education and social services on the brink of collapse and a lack of liquidity limiting the capacity to reach people in need.
