In a strongly worded resolution adopted at the close of India’s presidency of the Security Council for the month of August, the UN’s highest body pointed to the Taliban’s commitments regarding combating terrorism and allowing the safe and orderly departure of Afghan and foreign nationals. The UN Security Council resolution 2593, tabled by permanent members France, the UK and the US, was backed by 13 of the 15 council members. Permanent members China and Russia abstained.
The resolution demanded “that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts”, and reiterated the “importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, including those individuals and entities designated pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), and notes the Taliban’s relevant commitments”.
According official sources, the resolution, which called on the Taliban to keep its commitments on preventing terror groups in Afghanistan and urged them to assist the safe evacuations of all Afghan nationals wishing to leave the country, was the result of careful coordination and “high-level official contacts with UNSC members, including a call to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and the efforts were overseen by a special new group led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
There have been mounting concerns in India over the possibility of a rise in activities of various terror groups, including the Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed, from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Shringla, who presided over the Security Council meeting that passed the resolution, told the media that the UN and the international community had sent out a “strong signal” on its expectations regarding Afghanistan.
“As the President of the UNSC, India felt it important that given the seriousness of the situation, there should be a Security Council resolution,” said one of the persons cited above.
The resolution demands that the Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter and train terrorists.
“It 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,” said the person.
The people said the resolution also addresses issues of humanitarian assistance, human rights, inclusive and negotiated settlement.
“We believe that this decision by the UN Security Council has an important bearing on the course of developments in Afghanistan,” said a second person.
