Afghanistan should not host terrorists, says India’s envoy to UN

Ruchira Kamboj, India’s permanent representative to the UN, said in the UNSC meeting on Afghanistan held today that India hopes that the land of Afghanistan will not be used to anchor sheltering, training, planning, or financing terrorist acts, particularly, specific terrorists and entities named by the UNSC. She further added that it also means that the neighbouring country will act against drug trafficking. 

Ms. Kamboj, in her address, mentioned the “strong historical and civilisational linkages” India shares with Afghanistan and emphasised the point to draw attention to the fact that India has direct stakes and is deeply concerned with what happens in Afghanistan to ensure the restoration of peace and stability in the region. 

Indian Envoy’s Four Points

The permanent representative from India restricted her speech to four points, considering the paucity of time. 

The first point she put light on was the UNSC Resolution 2593 of August 2021, which underscores the collective approach of the international community. Taking the resolution as the basis, Ms. Kamboj said that India expects the country to not act as a breeding ground for terrorist intent and act along with condemning drug trafficking. The resolution also underlines the importance of designing a truly “inclusive and representative” government structure that is incumbent to represent various segments of Afghan society, is respectful of the rights of all Afghans, and ensures equal rights for women and minority groups. 

The second put forth talked about the “distressing humanitarian conditions” in Afghanistan. Mentioning the aid and assistance offered by India, she informed in the meeting that India has provided several shipments to the country, including 40,000 metric tons of wheat, 65 tons of medical aid, and 28 tons of other relief items. The tangible efforts by India for helping Afghanistan include India’s partnership with UNODC to work jointly for the drug-using population. They are together working for the welfare and rehabilitation of the affected, especially for women engaged in drug abuse. For the same reason, UNODC and India have dispatched medical aid, blankets, and female hygiene kits to the country. 

In the third point, India’s envoy to the UN lauded efforts by the United Nations for its continuous relief work done for the Afghans. She spoke of India’s activeness too, and said, the nation was an enthusiastic participant in finalising the draft of the current mandate of the UNAMA after the territory was captured by the Taliban in 2021.

The fourth that concluded the representative’s address took a look at removing Afghan women from the public space. She gave words to India’s stance on the vulnerable population and, in the UNSC meeting, quoted India’s urge to include women and minority groups in the future in the public space. 

“Peace and Stability are indispensable in Afghanistan and attempts to restore them in the affected region is at the core of India’s priority,” said Ms. Ruchira Kamboj in her concluding remarks. 

Restoring Peace in Afghanistan Crucial for India 

A stable Afghanistan has the ability to open pathways for India’s economic and strategic growth by giving the nation access to Central Asia. India, for a long time, has been trying to create opportunities to harness the Central Asian markets and resources, and geographically, Afghanistan is at the crossroads of South and Central Asia, and for this, Afghanistan is crucial for India. 

India has also invested heavily in the structural developments in Afghanistan such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, etc. Therefore, a peaceful Afghanistan can provide a chance to both nations for keeping up with the developmental projects and further, progress the ties in different domains. 

Another illustration of having a peaceful neighbourhood- Afghanistan is vital to maintain stability in India. Instability in Afghanistan tends to endorse terrorist intentions and actions by the terrorist organisations and other non-state actors, putting the security of India in peril. 

Understanding the importance Afghanistan holds for India, the steps taken by the nation individually and, in collaboration are worth appreciating. However, restricting India’s help to the disturbed country only for manifesting its vested interests is not right, as India has always helped a nation in help with or without having a personal motive behind it for it opines, “A friend in need is a friend indeed”.