On July 7, 2025, India abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution concerning the situation in Afghanistan. The resolution, introduced by Germany, expressed deep concern about the human rights situation in Afghanistan and urged the Taliban to reverse their repressive policies. It passed with 116 votes in favor, two against (United States and Israel), and 12 abstentions, including India, Russia, and China.
India's decision to abstain reflects a nuanced approach that balances condemnation of the Taliban's actions with a pragmatic understanding of the need for continued engagement. Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, explained that a "business as usual" approach focused solely on punitive measures is unlikely to succeed. He argued for a mix of policy instruments, incentivizing positive behavior while disincentivizing harmful actions. Harish also pointed out that no new policy instruments have been introduced to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan since August 2021, when the Taliban took over Kabul.
India remains concerned about the security situation in Afghanistan, particularly the presence of terrorist groups. Harish underscored the need to ensure that groups like Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed, along with their regional sponsors, do not exploit Afghan territory for terrorist activities. He welcomed the Taliban's condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025.
Despite not formally recognizing the Taliban regime, India has been actively engaging with the group. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently spoke with Afghan acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. India has also provided substantial humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including 50,000 metric tons of wheat, over 330 metric tons of medicines and vaccines, and other essential items. Additionally, India supports drug rehabilitation programs and offers scholarships to Afghan students. India has also been involved in over 500 development partnership projects across all Afghan provinces.
The resolution acknowledged Afghanistan's potential role in connecting Central and South Asia and its importance for regional economic development. It recognized the contributions of countries like India, Iran, and Turkey in providing educational opportunities to Afghan students.
India's abstention demonstrates a commitment to working towards a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan while addressing concerns about terrorism and human rights. India believes that continued engagement and a balanced approach are necessary to achieve these goals.
