India has urged the global community to prevent UN-designated terrorist organizations, including Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, from exploiting Afghan territory for terrorist activities. This call to action was made by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, during a UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.
On Wednesday, Harish emphasized, “The international community must coordinate efforts towards ensuring that entities and individuals designated by the UN Security Council, such as ISIL and Al Qaeda, do not utilize Afghan territories for their operations.” His statement, viewed by some as a dig at Pakistan, underscored India’s vigil over the ever-evolving security landscape in Afghanistan.
India’s Commitment to Afghanistan’s Stability
Harish reiterated that India and Afghanistan share a long-standing civilizational relationship. India has a vital interest in ensuring peace and stability in the conflict-ridden nation.
He stated, “It is paramount that we engage with all relevant parties to promote peace, stability, and development consistent with the historical ties we share.” Harish pointed to India’s participation in various UN meetings in Doha and other regional forums as evidence of its commitment to Afghan stability.
Humanitarian Efforts Amidst Crisis
Highlighting recent events, Harish noted that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has had multiple discussions with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, reflecting India’s proactive diplomatic efforts. India welcomed Afghanistan’s condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, aiming to strengthen cooperative ties against shared threats.
With the recent devastating earthquake affecting millions, India has sent essential supplies, including 1,000 family tents and 15 tonnes of food supplies. This assistance is part of larger humanitarian efforts, which have included 21 additional tonnes of relief items such as essential medicines and hygiene kits.
“Our approach must reflect a combination of incentivizing positive behavior while discouraging damaging actions in Afghanistan,” Harish asserted. He noted that Afghanistan requires a renewed policy direction to address its post-conflict challenges.
Winning the Peace: An Inclusive Approach
Harish pointed out that a simplistic, punitive focus is unlikely to yield the desired results in Afghanistan. “The United Nations and the international community must adopt nuanced strategies tailored to Afghanistan’s unique situation,” he said.
The need for a united front was further highlighted, with Harish stressing the issue of a “business as usual” approach. He warned that this merely maintains the status quo, which is detrimental to both Afghanistan and the international community’s hopes for a stable future.
“After living under a sanctioned regime for over four years, the Afghan populace requires extensive humanitarian assistance to foster sustainable development,” he emphasized.
India’s Ongoing Development Support
India has consistently demonstrated its dedication to Afghanistan’s reconstruction with over 500 development partnership projects across the nation. These initiatives reflect India’s commitment to support the Afghan people beyond military and political efforts.
Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, India has provided around 50,000 tonnes of wheat, supplementary medical supplies, and various essential items to the Afghan populace in dire need. In collaboration with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, 84 tonnes of assistance have been offered for drug rehabilitation, focusing on women.
Harish concluded that India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s developmental needs is “non-negotiable.” He promised ongoing humanitarian assistance and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the living conditions of Afghan citizens.
Through all these efforts, India seeks to support a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan, engaging with international partners to achieve common goals.
