India abstained from a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution addressing the situation in Afghanistan, joining 11 other countries in its abstention. The resolution, introduced by Germany, expressed deep concern over the repressive policies of the Taliban, particularly those affecting women and girls, and called for inclusive governance. It also emphasized the need to prevent terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) from exploiting Afghan territory. The resolution was adopted with 116 votes in favor and two against. The United States and Israel voted against the resolution.
India's decision to abstain reflects a nuanced approach that balances concerns about the Taliban's human rights record with the need for continued engagement and a pragmatic strategy to address the complex challenges facing Afghanistan. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, explained that a coherent policy for Afghanistan must combine incentives for positive behavior with disincentives for harmful actions. He argued that a purely punitive approach is unlikely to succeed and that the international community should adopt a more balanced strategy, learning from other post-conflict situations.
Harish also highlighted the importance of preventing terrorist groups from using Afghan soil for their operations, directly referencing LeT and JeM and their regional sponsors. He noted Afghanistan's condemnation of the Pahalgam attack in April, which was carried out by The Resistance Front, a group linked to the Pakistan-based LeT. Despite abstaining, India reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to the Afghan people and its continued support for their humanitarian and developmental needs. India has provided substantial assistance, including wheat, medicines, vaccines, and other essential items.
India's improved relationship with the Taliban, despite not formally recognizing the regime, is evident in recent diplomatic contacts, such as Foreign Minister Jaishankar's phone call with Afghan acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. This engagement underscores India's pragmatic approach, seeking to influence the Taliban's behavior through dialogue while addressing the urgent needs of the Afghan population.
The resolution also recognized Afghanistan's potential role in connecting Central and South Asia and its economic integration into interregional processes for lasting peace and stability. It urged the Taliban to cooperate with interested actors to benefit from their knowledge and expertise in this regard. Despite supporting the international community's efforts toward a stable Afghanistan, India believes that a "business as usual" approach, without new and targeted initiatives, will not achieve the desired outcomes. India has been working closely with UN agencies to support the Afghan people in critical areas such as health, food security, education, and sports, with over 500 development partnership projects across all provinces.
