Permanent Mission of India
New York
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UNAMA Briefing

UNSC Meeting on the Situation in Afghanistan

Statement by Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, Permanent Representative

December 10, 2025

Madam President,

I congratulate Slovenia for assuming the Presidency of the Council and thank you for giving me the floor. I thank Ms. Georgette Gagnon, OiC and Head of Mission, DSRSG-Political for Afghanistan for briefing this meeting. We also note the comments made by USG Fletcher and the Civil Society briefer Ms. Yari.

2. As Afghanistan’s contiguous neighbour, India deeply values its civilizational relationship and centuries old bonds of friendship and this history continues to guide our actions in forging deeper ties with the people of Afghanistan.

3. Over the years, India has been a strong advocate for peace and stability in Afghanistan. Coordinated regional and international cooperation on key issues concerning Afghanistan is paramount as is strongly engaging relevant parties for promoting peace, stability and development in the country. We have accordingly participated in all rounds of the Doha Working Group meetings and in other regional fora.

Madam President,

4. Provision of Humanitarian Assistance and building the capacities of the Afghan people have always remained India’s priorities. We already have more than 500 development partnership projects across all provinces and as decided during Foreign Minister Motaqi’s recent visit to India, India would further deepen its engagement in development cooperation projects, particularly in the sectors of healthcare, public infrastructure and capacity-building. We will continue working with UN agencies in critical areas such as health, food security, education and sports. The visit of Mr. Azizi, Afghan Minister of Industry and Commerce to India also helped further cooperation on connectivity, trade facilitation and market access.

5. Healthcare is an particularly important need for the Afghan people right now. In this regard, India has undertaken establishment of a Thalassemia Centre, a Modern Diagnostic Centre, and replacement of the heating system at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH) in Kabul. Additionally, India will construct a 30-bed hospital in Kabul’s Bagrami district, an Oncology Centre and a Trauma Centre in Kabul, and five Maternity Health Clinics. About 75 prosthetic limbs have been successfully fitted to Afghan nationals. India also continues to extend medical assistance and provide high-quality healthcare treatment to Afghan nationals. During Mr. Motaqi’s visit, India also gifted twenty ambulances to the Afghan people. Healthcare cooperation will be further augmented during the upcoming visit of Afghan Minister of Public Health to India.

6. India was among the first countries to provide humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake in Afghanistan and continues to assist in reconstructing residential buildings in the earthquake affected areas. India’s comprehensive humanitarian support includes supply of food grains, social support items, school stationery, disaster relief materials and pesticides. It also includes providing crucial material aid to address the urgent needs of forcibly repatriated refugees in Afghanistan.

Madam President,

7. We have taken note of the Secretary General’s report on the situation in Afghanistan especially the difficult humanitarian concerns expressed therein. The involuntary return movements of over 2 million Afghans this year contributing a population increase of 6 % for Afghanistan in 2025 have created significant vulnerabilities necessitating enhanced protection, improved access to shelter and food security and need for durable solutions for sustainable reintegration.

8. The Secretary General’s report also highlights the severe humanitarian and economic impact resulting from recent border clashes and border crossing closures, displacing hundreds of families inside Afghanistan, disrupting vital trade, causing financial distress and widespread losses for farmers during the critical fruit harvest season and threatening the livelihoods of Afghan people. Member states this year issued the Awaza Political Declaration to address the unique challenges faced by Land Locked Developing countries (LLDCs). It is incumbent on all not to weaponize trade and transit vulnerabilities.

9. India echoes UNAMA’s concern over airstrikes and condemn the killing of innocent women, children and cricketers in Afghanistan. We add our voice to calls for paying full respect to the United Nations Charter and international law with particular attention to protection of innocent civilians. We also note with grave concern the practice of “trade and transit terrorism” that the people of Afghanistan are being subjected to by the cynical closure of access for a land locked country whose people are suffering numerous debilitating conditions since many years. These acts are in violation of WTO norms. Such open threats and acts of war against a fragile and vulnerable LLDC nation, trying to rebuild in difficult circumstances, constitute a blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law. While we condemn such acts, we also strongly support the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Afghanistan.

10. India continues to closely monitor the security situation in Afghanistan. The international community must coordinate efforts towards ensuring that entities and individuals designated by the UN Security Council, the ISIL and Al Qaida and their affiliates, including the Lashkar e Tayyiba and Jaish -e- Mohammed and proxies of LeT such as the Resistance Front, along with those who facilitate their operations, no longer indulge in cross border terrorism.

Madam President,

11. India calls for a pragmatic engagement with the Taliban. A coherent policy of engagement should incentivize positive actions. A focus on only punitive measures will only ensure that a ‘business as usual’ approach continues as we have been seeing now for the last 4 and a half years. We call on the United Nations and the international community to adopt nuanced policy instruments that help bringing sustainable benefits for the people of Afghanistan.

12. In conclusion, I would reiterate our commitment to meeting the development needs of the people of Afghanistan. The recent decision by my Government of restoring the status of our Technical Mission in Kabul to that of an Embassy underscores this resolve. We will continue our engagements with all stakeholders to augment our contribution to Afghanistan’s comprehensive development, humanitarian assistance, and capacity-building initiatives, in keeping with the priorities and aspirations of Afghan society.

I Thank you Madam President.