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
March 09, 2026

Madam President,

I congratulate the United States for assuming the Presidency of the Council and thank you for giving me the floor. I thank Ms. Georgette Gagnon, Head of Mission, DSRSG-Political for Afghanistan for briefing this meeting.

2. India has deep rooted and civilizational bonds with our contiguous neighbor, Afghanistan. Our history of close ties keeps guiding us in the current context, a situation when the proud people of Afghanistan need the world’s assistance. Over the years, India has continued to strongly advocate for peace and stability that could aid development in Afghanistan. Our participation in the Doha Working Group meetings underlines this commitment.

Madam President

3. India prioritizes capacity building and Humanitarian Assistance initiatives for the Afghan people. With more than 500 development partnership projects spread across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan, we are deepening our engagement in healthcare, public infrastructure and capacity building. We continue to work with UN agencies as well as with agencies such as the Afghanistan Red Cross Society in food security, healthcare, education and sports. The visits of Afghan Ministers last year are helping us ensure that this aid is reaching those who need it the most.

4. Since the last briefing in December 2025, India has made significant progress in advancing healthcare support in Afghanistan. Development projects approved earlier, including the establishment of a Thalassemia Centre, an Oncology Centre, a Trauma Centre, a modern diagnostic centre, the replacement of the heating system at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH), and the construction of a 30-bed hospital, all in Kabul, as well as the construction of five maternity health clinics in Paktika, Khost, and Paktia, are progressing steadily. In the last three months, i.e., the reporting period for the UNSG’s report, India delivered more than 1 million doses of immunization vaccines for children and 9.5 tons of anti-cancer medicine, In the coming months, we aim to deliver over 17 million additional doses of preventive vaccines to further strengthen Afghanistan’s national immunization program. This is India’s investment in the future of Afghanistan.

5. Over the past 4-1/2 years, my country has supplied 50,000 tons of wheat, 380 tons of medicines and vaccines and 40,000 liters of pesticides. Following the two earthquakes last year, India was among the first to provide humanitarian assistance to the tune of 60 tons of food items, 42 tons of earthquake relief materials and 73 tons of essential medicines. In partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), we have provided 68 tons of medical supplies and 32 tons of social support items for the rehabilitation of drug addicts. In the field of education, our scholarship and fellowship schemes for Afghan students are always in demand. Since 2023, about 3000 students have availed themselves of these opportunities including 1000 Afghan women. India continues to provide financial and logistical support to Afghan Self Help Groups led by women.

6. On the bright side, any visitor to Afghanistan today would see Afghan youth enthusiastically playing cricket. The Afghanistan Cricket Team has been winning hearts wherever they have been playing and their spirit and passion in the just concluded Cricket World Cup was notable. My nation is proud to be part of their journey and happy to see them bring immense joy to the people of Afghanistan who are enduring so much.

Madam President,

7. We take note of the Secretary General’s report on the situation in Afghanistan especially the dire humanitarian concerns and the rising implications for the country due to unprecedented scale and pace of forced and involuntary returns under adverse circumstances. Acute food insecurity and climate and natural hazards that have led to 45% of population requiring humanitarian assistance this year is a dire situation that needs the world’s attention. These significant vulnerabilities necessitate more efforts towards addressing food security, healthcare, water security and other shelter challenges. The returnees need to be provided housing, basic services and livelihoods. We add our voice to Secretary General’s call on Member States to uphold their international obligations in relation to protection, including the principle of non-refoulement and ensure that returns are voluntary, safe, dignified and accompanied by sustained support for reintegration of returnees into communities.

8. The Secretary General’s report also expresses deep concern at civilian casualties caused by cross-border armed violence. We reiterate and support the Secretary General’s call urging compliance with obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and ensuring protection of civilians. India strongly condemns the airstrikes on Afghan territory which are flagrant violations of international law and the UN Charter and the principle of state sovereignty. It is hypocritical to espouse high principles of international law and Islamic solidarity on the one hand, while mercilessly carrying out air strikes during the holy month of Ramadan that have killed 185 innocent civilians as of 6 March 2026, around 55% of whom are women and children and displaced over a hundred thousand according to the UNAMA on the other.

9. We also reiterate our grave concern on the practice of trade and transit terrorism by denial of passage for trade and cynical closure of access for a land locked country. UN declarations on Land Locked Developing countries (LLDCs) sound hollow in the face of such actions. The trade and transit vulnerabilities of LLDCs should not be weaponized. This is a violation of WTO norms and of the UN Charter and international law. While we condemn these acts, we reaffirm our support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Afghanistan.

10. Terrorism remains a global scourge afflicting humanity and only coordinated efforts of the international community would ensure that 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. Well over four years have passed since the political reality of Afghanistan has changed. India reiterates the importance of incentivizing positive actions. In this context, the current UN sanctions regime related to Afghanistan must take into account the contemporary realities. We call on the United Nations and international community to shun this ‘business as usual approach’ and adopt nimble policy instruments that bring sustainable benefits for the Afghan people who have endured suffering for so long.

12. India reiterates its commitment to strengthen our engagement with all stakeholders in bilateral, regional and multilateral formats. India will always stand for the priorities and aspirations of Afghan society and will always support the people of Afghanistan.

I thank you, Madam President.

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