Permanent Mission of India
New York
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UN Security Council Meeting on UNAMA

Statement by Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, Permanent Representative
10 March 2025

Thank You Madam President.

At the outset, I congratulate Denmark on assumption of the Presidency of the Council and assure you of our full support for your Presidency.

2. I thank SRSG and Head of UNAMA Ms. Roza Otunbayeva for her remarks. We take note of the remarks of the Civil society briefer Ms. Mohammad and other Member States.

3. India and Afghanistan share a relationship which has spanned centuries. As its contiguous neighbour, India and Afghanistan share a special people to people relationship which has been the foundation of our present day engagement with the country.

4. India is closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and has been actively engaged in regional and international efforts to maintain stability and peace in Afghanistan. Our broad approach remains to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and create an international consensus under the UN framework to resolve various issues between the de-facto authorities in Afghanistan and the international community. Our participation in the UN meetings in Doha, Moscow Format and other fora are a reflection of our efforts to secure peace, stability and development in Afghanistan. India has also been an active participant of the two UNAMA Working Groups on counter narcotics and enabling private sector in Afghanistan.

5. In the beginning of this year, Foreign Secretary of India met Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai. The two sides discussed various issues pertaining to bilateral relations as well as regional developments. The Afghan side appreciated and thanked Indian leadership for continuing to engage and support the people of Afghanistan. It was decided that India would consider engaging in development projects in the near future in addition to the ongoing humanitarian assistance programs.

6. India has been working with various UN agencies for providing assistance to the Afghan people in areas of health, food security, education, sports and capacity building. Since 2001, India has been committed towards rebuilding and reconstruction of Afghanistan. Our development partnership includes more than 500 projects spread across all provinces in Afghanistan. Since August 2021, India has delivered 27 tons of relief material, 50,000 tons of wheat, 40,000 litres of pesticides and more than 300 tons of medicines and medical equipment to the country.

7. India has also partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Afghanistan to provide assistance for the welfare of Afghan drug user population, especially women. Under this partnership, India has, since 2022, supplied 11,000 units of hygiene kits, baby food, clothing, medical aid and more than 30 tons of social support items to UNODC, Kabul.

8. In conclusion, let me underline India’s historic relationship with the people of Afghanistan and our readiness to respond to the needs of the Afghan people. At the same time, we remain committed to continue our close interaction with all relevant stakeholders on Afghanistan and support the international community’s efforts towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.

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