Af situation fragile, of concern: India at UNSC

Says important that Taliban ensures Afghan soil is not used for terrorism

“INDIA CALLS ON THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER... TO ENABLE ALL AFGHANS, INCLUDING WOMEN, CHILDREN AND MINORITIES, TO LIVE IN PEACE AND DIGNITY”

T S Tirumurtiindia’s Permanent Representative to UN

Terming the situation in Afghanistan as “very fragile”, India has said it is important that the Taliban adheres to its commitment to not allow the use of the Afghan soil for terrorism, including from terror groups designated under Security Council resolution 1267 that lists Pakistan-based outfits Lashkar-e-taiba and Jaish-emohammed.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said at the UN Security Council Debate on Afghanistan Thursday that as Afghanistan's neighbour, India was privileged to preside over the adoption of a substantial and forward-looking product of the Council during its presidency of the 15-nation UN body last month.

The resolution on Afghanistan “took into account some of our collective concerns, in particular on 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.

The Security Council resolution has “underlined that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts. As witnessed from the deplorable terrorist attack at Kabul Airport last month, terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to Afghanistan. It is therefore important that commitments made in this regard are respected and adhered to,” Tirumurti said.

Lashkar-e-taiba and Jaish-e-mohammed as well as the Haqqani Network are proscribed terror entities under UNSC resolution 1267 (1999) concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Alqaeda, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities. JEM founder Masood Azhar and LET leader Hafiz Saeed are also listed as global terrorists under the 1267 Sanctions regime.

Resolution 2593 also took note of the Taliban statement that Afghans will be able to travel abroad in an unhindered manner. “We hope that these commitments will be adhered to, including regarding the safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals,” Tirumurti said.

India also called on the international community to rise above any partisan interests and stand together with the people of Afghanistan in their desire for peace, stability and security in the country.

“The situation in Afghanistan continues to be very fragile. As its immediate neighbour and a friend to its people, the current situation is of direct concern to us,” Tirumurti said.

He said uncertainties abound about the future of the Afghan people, as well as about sustaining and building on the gains achieved over the last two decades.

“In this context, we reiterate the need for the voices of Afghan women to be heard, aspirations of Afghan children to be realised and the rights of minorities to be protected. We call on humanitarian assistance to be provided urgently and underline the need to provide unhindered access to the UN and other agencies in this regard,” he said.

Underlining that Afghanistan has already seen enough bloodshed and violence in recent years, Tirumurti said India “calls on the international community to come together, rising above any partisan interests, to stand together with the people of Afghanistan in their desire for peace, stability and security in the country. We need to enable all Afghans, including women, children and minorities, to live in peace and dignity.”