General Assembly Security Council

 

UNSC Briefing on the situation in Afghanistan

[26 January 2022; 1000 hrs]

Statement by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

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Mr. President,

 

I thank the Secretary General and the Special Representative Ms. Deborah Lyons for their briefing. I would like to express my delegation’s appreciation for the work done by UNAMA in these challenging times. I also thank Ms. Mahbouba Seraj for sharing her insights with us. 

 

    2. As a contiguous neighbor and long-standing partner of Afghanistan, recent developments in Afghanistan, particularly the deteriorating humanitarian situation continues to be of concern. India also shares concerns of the international community on issues related to providing immediate humanitarian assistance; ensuring formation of a truly inclusive and representative government; combating terrorism and drug trafficking; and, preserving the rights of women, children and the minorities.

 

    3. India's approach to Afghanistan has always been guided by its historical friendship with its people. Our special relationship with the Afghan people and the guidance spelt out in UNSC Resolution 2593 would continue to guide India’s approach to Afghanistan. We remain steadfast in our commitment towards humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

 

4. In this endeavour, India has committed to provide 50000 MT of wheat and lifesaving medicines and one million doses of COVID vaccines to the Afghan people. We have already dispatched three shipments of humanitarian assistance consisting of medicines and COVID medicines. These were handed over to WHO and the Indira Gandhi Children Hospital in Kabul. 

 

Mr. President,

 

5. Last month, we joined other Council Members in supporting resolution 2615 in order to provide humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan, while ensuring that the Security Council exercises its oversight to guard against any possible diversion of funds and misuse of exemptions from sanctions. We have also supported the call of the international community that access to humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan should be direct and without any hindrance. We reiterate that humanitarian assistance should be based on principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence and disbursement of the aid should be non-discriminatory and accessible to all, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or political belief. In particular, the assistance should reach the most vulnerable first – including women, children, and minorities.

 

6. As Afghanistan’s largest regional development partner, India is willing to coordinate with other stakeholders to work towards enabling expeditious provision of much needed humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.

 

Mr. President,

 

7. Terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to Afghanistan and to the region. Security Council Resolution 2593 clearly outlines the international community’s expectations on a range of critical and immediate issues. The Resolution lays down the requirements in terms of the fight against terrorism, where it has noted the commitment of the Taliban not to allow the use of the Afghan soil for terrorism, including from terrorists and terrorist groups designated under Resolution 1267. However, we need to see concrete progress in ensuring that such proscribed terrorist entities do not get any support, tacit or direct, either from Afghan soil or from the terrorist sanctuaries based in the region.

 

8. Resolution 2593 also laid 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.

 

Mr. President,

 

9. 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. 

 

Mr. President, 

 

10. 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 legitimacy.

 

11. Today, it is more necessary than ever that the international community speaks with one voice on Afghanistan. Resolution 2596 requires the Secretary General to report to the Security Council on strategic and operational recommendations for the mandate of UNAMA, in the light of recent political, security and social developments. We are looking forward to receiving this report and believe this report should contain holistic recommendations from a strategic perspective. When the Council decides on the future of the UNAMA mandate in March this year, its focus needs to be centered on the welfare, well-being and expectations of the Afghan people.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.

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