India at UNSC extends support to efforts achieving peace in Afghanistan; reiterates call for comprehensive ceasefire

Reiterating its call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Afghanistan as "the need of the hour", India on Tuesday expressed support all efforts towards achieving sustainable peace, security and stability in the country.

Reiterating its call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Afghstan as "the need of the hour", India on Tuesday expressed support all efforts towards achieving sustainable peace, security and stability in the country.

Speaking at the UNSC debate on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghstan (UNAMA), Ambassador TS Tirumurti said that the ceasefire in Afghstan "is not only in the interest of the people" of Afghstan but a basic prerequisite for the success of the peace process. "It goes without saying that talks and violence cannot go hand in hand," he said.

"India supports all efforts towards achieving sustainable peace, security and stability in Afghstan. Such a process must be transparent, inclusive, Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled, fully respecting the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghstan," he said.

The Indian envoy said that the gains of the last two decades must be preserved in any constitutional framework that Afghstan designs for itself.

"The rights of women, minorities and the vulnerable need to be protected, and respect for human rights and democracy needs to be ensured. Full participation of women and ethnic and religious minorities in the peace process is essential to preserve a democratic and pluralistic polity," he said.

The envoy pointed out that India and Afghstan share a natural and long-standing historical relationship adding that the strategic partnership and enduring commitment to the development of Afghstan reflect this "time-tested" partnership.

Tirumurti said that the commencement of the intra-Afghan talks in Doha last year has not resulted in a decrease in violence; on the contrary, it has only increased.

"These attacks are aimed at forcing the Afghan people to make pre-determined choices through coercion and spreading fear and intimidation within the society. As Afghstan's immediate neighbour, we are deeply concerned at the rising use of violence as a tool for pressure tactics," he said.

He also called for enduring peace in Afghstan, terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries must be dismantled immediately and terrorist supply chains broken.

"There needs to be zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and mfestations. It is important to ensure that the territory of Afghstan is not used by terrorist groups to threaten or attack any other country. Those providing material and financial support to terrorist entities must be held accountable, without any double standards," he said.

Tirumurti said that India continues to stand with Afghstan in ensuring restoration of normalcy through a legitimate democratic process that is essential for the long- term stability of Afghstan and the region.

"India will continue to provide all support to the Government and people of Afghstan in realizing their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future, free of terror, so that as to protect and promote the rights and interests of all sections of Afghan society," he said.

Last February, the Taliban and the Afghan government reached a landmark agreement, mediated by the United States, paving the way for peace talks, which began in the Qatari capital of Doha on September 12, 2020.

The Doha negotiations failed to put an end to the confrontation on the ground. On the contrary, Afghstan has witnessed a spate of bomb attacks and clashes in recent months, with the military continuing to regularly conduct operations against Taliban operatives.

( With inputs from ANI )