India has called for a compassionate and coordinated global approach towards Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for continued support amidst existing sanctions. Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, addressed the Security Council, highlighting India's unwavering commitment to Afghanistan's development and stability.
India has a paramount interest in the peace in Afghanistan and is actively collaborating with the UN and regional forums to bolster stability. Despite not recognizing the Taliban regime, India has gradually increased its diplomatic engagement, holding meetings with senior officials in Qatar and Kabul to discuss diplomatic relations, security concerns, and humanitarian aid.
A key aspect of India's stance is the call for fresh policy tools that go beyond punitive measures. Ambassador Harish stated that focusing solely on sanctions is unlikely to yield the desired results, suggesting that a more nuanced approach is necessary. He referenced the UN's adoption of more nuanced strategies in other post-conflict situations, advocating for a similar approach in Afghanistan. This comes in the wake of reports that the Islamic system-oriented faction in Afghanistan has placed restrictions on the Afghan people, especially women, hindering their access to education and work.
India's commitment to Afghanistan's development remains firm, with over USD 3 billion invested since 2001 in reconstruction, capacity building, and various development projects. These initiatives span across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan and include significant projects such as the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam in Herat and the Afghan National Parliament building in Kabul. Furthermore, India has provided substantial humanitarian aid, including tons of wheat, medicines, and scholarships for Afghan students. Following a recent earthquake, India delivered over 36 tons of relief to the affected areas.
Addressing security concerns, Ambassador Harish urged the international community to ensure that terrorist groups, including the ISIL, Al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), do not exploit Afghan territory for terrorist activities. He welcomed Kabul's condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. India is closely monitoring the security situation in Afghanistan and insists on the need to prevent these groups from using Afghan soil for attacks.
India is also exploring ways to host the Taliban's acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, despite existing UN sanctions. Muttaqi's visit to India was planned for August but faced delays due to the lack of a waiver on his travel ban. A waiver was reportedly blocked by Pakistan, which currently leads the 1988 sanctions committee. If the waiver is granted, India would join a small list of nations, including China and Russia, that have engaged with the sanctioned Taliban leader. India continues to seek ways to work with the Taliban, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation.
