China, Russia, India Stress Engagement with Afghanistan at UNSC
Sun Lei, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, said at Wednesday’s UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan that all parties should value engagement with the Afghan government and the outcomes of dialogue, demonstrate goodwill, and exercise patience.
The Chinese representative added that Afghanistan’s frozen assets should be released, unilateral sanctions lifted, and aid resumed.
Referring to stability and positive progress in areas including economic reconstruction, counter-narcotics efforts, and the Islamic Emirate’s external engagement during its five years in power, Sun said: “Afghanistan is still faced with challenges in areas such as the humanitarian and development situation, women’s rights, and counterterrorism.” He emphasized that “the international community should view the situation in Afghanistan in a comprehensive and objective manner, take coordinated measures, and play a constructive role in helping Afghanistan achieve lasting peace and stability as soon as possible.”
In another part of his remarks, he also called on the Islamic Emirate to guarantee the fundamental rights of all Afghans, including women.
Meanwhile, Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, called for dialogue with the Islamic Emirate authorities based on trust and without pressure or threats, saying that a “unilateral approach” toward Afghanistan would yield no results.
The Russian representative added: “There is no alternative to genuine and practical engagement with Afghanistan.”
Nebenzia described the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan five years ago as “irresponsible,” saying that countries that hastily withdrew their forces had predicted Afghanistan’s collapse, but, according to him, those predictions did not materialize.
Also at the meeting, Parvathaneni Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said his country supports peace, stability, and prosperity that can contribute to Afghanistan’s sustainable development.
He added: “We stand in favor of peace, stability, and prosperity that could aid the sustainable development of Afghanistan, as evidenced by our participation in the Doha Working Group meetings, our strong bilateral development partnership, and our efforts in regional initiatives. I reiterate today Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong belief that India’s shared aspiration for a peaceful and secure Eurasia is also closely linked to peace and stability in Afghanistan.”
Today’s meeting was the UN Security Council’s quarterly public meeting on Afghanistan. According to an announcement by the Council, closed consultations are also scheduled to take place afterward.
