India was in continuous touch with UNSC members over Afghanistan resolution: Sources
New Delhi, Aug 31 (UNI) India has been in continuous touch over the last few days with key members of the UN Security Council over the resolution on Afghanistan, and the issue was the subject of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and high-level official contacts with other members, sources said on Tuesday.
The UNSC resolution 2593 on Afghanistan, passed under India’s presidency, also addresses India’s key concerns relating to Afghanistan at this time, and India “played an active role in ensuring its passage”, they said.
There were three earlier statements by the UNSC on Afghanistan on August 6, 16 and 27.
“As the President of the UNSC, India felt it important that given the seriousness of the situation, there should be a Security Council Resolution” on Afghanistan, the sources said.
The resolution, adopted with 13 members voting in favour, “demands that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists or plan or finance terrorist acts.
“It specifically mentions individuals and entities designated pursuant to UNSC Resolution 1267, i.e., the Lashker-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, etc,” according to the sources.
The resolution also addresses India’s immediate concerns about facilitating travel from Afghanistan, including Kabul Airport. “This will cover Indian nationals stranded in the country as well as Afghan nationals (including minorities) who wish to travel to India,” they said.
The resolution also addresses issues of humanitarian assistance, human rights, inclusive and negotiated settlement among others.
It is also significant that the resolution has declared that the Security Council decides to remain seized of the matter, the sources said.
“We believe that this decision by the UN Security Council has an important bearing on the course of developments in Afghanistan. It is a matter of satisfaction that our Presidency could contribute to serious international consideration of this key issue,” they said.
The resolution, passed on Monday, was the last of high-profile events at the UNSC conducted by India under its month-long presidency.
UNI