During the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, on Monday, said that Afghanistan territory should not be used to threaten, attack any country or to shelter, finance or train terrorists .
Resolution on Afghanistan has been passed by the UNSC. This crucial resolution was adopted with the support of 13 members with Russia and China abstaining and no one voting against the resolution.
Briefing the media after chairing the UNSC meeting on Afghanistan, Shringla said, “As you’re aware, the month of August has been a very busy month for the Security Council. There are some very key issues that have come up for consideration in the council. We have had issues of Afghanistan, maritime security, the Middle East, Myanmar, Syria, Yemen.” As India’s presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of August, draws to a close, he thanked all members of the UN Security Council.
“A very notable initiative that our delegation took was the organisation of the first comprehensive consideration of the issue of maritime security at the high-level event, chaired by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This event was attended by heads of state and government, Members of the Council,” Shringla informed.
He further said, “we also had two events on technology and peacekeeping and counterterrorism which were chaired by our External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar.”
“It underlines the risk individuals and entities designated by UN Security Council 1267. This is of direct importance to India. The resolution also notes the statement by the Taliban in the 27 August and the Security Council does expect them to adhere to their commitments, including regarding the safe, secure and orderly departure from Afghanistan, of Afghan and all foreign nationals,” said Shringla.
He added, “the resolution also recognises the importance of upholding human rights, especially Afghan women, children and minorities, as well as to inclusive negotiated settlement, and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. These are some of the key aspects of the resolution which have been highlighted by India.”
Shringla also expressed condolences on behalf of India to those Afghan nationals and US troops who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Kabul. “You will recall that under our presidency, the Security Council adopted three press statements on Afghanistan following related developments on 3, 16, and 27 August. I also wish to take this opportunity to extend condolences on behalf of our dedication and our country to those Afghan nationals and US troops who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Kabul,” he stated.
As per the resolution, the UNSC condemned in the strongest terms the “deplorable” attacks of 26 August, near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, which were claimed by the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, an entity affiliated with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh). The attack resulted in the deaths and injuries of over 300 civilians and 28 military personnel.
The UNSC took note of the Taliban’s condemnation of the attack.
Also taking note of the dangerous security situation around Hamid Karzai International Airport, the council called on “the relevant parties to work with international partners to take steps to strengthen security and to prevent further casualties, and requests that every effort be made to allow for the rapid and secure reopening of the Kabul airport and its surrounding area.”
UNSC also noted the Taliban statement of 27 August, in which the “Taliban committed that Afghans will be able to travel abroad, may leave Afghanistan anytime they want to, and may exit Afghanistan.”
The UNSC stated that it expects that the Taliban will adhere to these and all other commitments, including regarding the safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals.