Post by : Rameen Ariff

India strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting in New York, raising serious concerns over the worsening situation in Afghanistan. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, said New Delhi shared the UN’s concern over recent airstrikes in Afghanistan and condemned the killing of innocent civilians, including women, children and even local cricketers.

Parvathaneni said India was deeply disturbed by the ongoing violence and urged immediate steps to protect Afghan lives. He warned that the people of Afghanistan, already facing years of hardship, were now being subjected to what he described as “trade and transit terrorism” due to Pakistan’s decision to restrict access to a landlocked nation struggling to survive.

He added that such actions violated WTO norms, threatened regional stability and amounted to a direct challenge to the UN Charter. India reaffirmed its firm support for Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, calling these principles non-negotiable.

Rising Tensions Between Pakistan and Afghanistan

India’s sharp remarks come at a time when Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to engage in repeated border clashes. Islamabad claims Afghan-based militants have carried out a series of attacks inside Pakistan, including suicide bombings involving Afghan nationals. Kabul has rejected these allegations, saying it cannot be held responsible for Pakistan’s internal security.

The tensions remain high despite a ceasefire brokered in Doha, which held briefly. Follow-up talks in Istanbul last month failed to produce a lasting peace agreement, leaving the region on edge.

India Calls For Broader Global Cooperation

During the UNSC session, Parvathaneni stressed that India has always been a strong advocate for peace and stability in Afghanistan. He called for coordinated regional and global cooperation to address Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs and security challenges.

He noted that India continues to monitor the security environment closely and urged the international community to step up efforts to ensure that banned terrorist groups do not exploit the situation. He highlighted the need for strong action against organisations and individuals designated by the UN Security Council, including ISIL, Al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and their affiliates.

According to him, preventing these groups from carrying out cross-border terrorism remains essential for long-term stability in the region.

India’s Stand on Afghanistan

India reiterated that Afghanistan deserves peace, development and an environment free from external interference. New Delhi emphasised that the Afghan people must not pay the price of geopolitical rivalries or border politics.

As the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalates, India has once again positioned itself as a strong voice calling for restraint, regional responsibility and respect for international law.

#Global News