Prevent Afghanistan from becoming source of terrorism: Modi at G20 meet

Express News Service | New Delhi

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that “every Indian feels the pain of Afghan people” and called on the international community to forge a unified response to bring about desired changes to the situation in Afghanistan. He also stated that Afghanistan’s territory must not become a source of radicalisation and terrorism, regionally or globally.

In a virtual address at the G-20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan, Modi also pressed for “urgent and unhindered” humanitarian assistance to Afghan citizens and underlined the need for having an inclusive administration that includes women and minorities, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

“Participated in the G20 Summit on Afghanistan. Stressed on preventing Afghan territory from becoming the source of radicalisation and terrorism. Also called for urgent and unhindered humanitarian assistance to Afghan citizens and an inclusive administration,” Modi tweeted. “A unified international response based on UNSC Resolution 2593 is necessary to improve the situation in Afghanistan.”

The UNSC resolution, adopted on August 30 under India’s presidency of the global body, talked about the need for upholding human rights in Afghanistan, demanded that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorism, and that a negotiated political settlement should be found for the crisis.

“The Prime minister called on the international community to forge a unified international response without which it would be difficult to bring about the desired change in Afghanistan’s situation,” the MEA said in a statement. “Modi also pitched for an inclusive administration in Afghanistan which includes women and minorities in order to preserve the socio-economic gains of the last 20 years and to restrict the spread of radical ideology,” it said.

The summit was convened by Italy, the current chair of the G-20, that comprises 20 of the world’s major economies, and was chaired by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

The Prime Minister conveyed support for the important role of the UN in Afghanistan and called for a renewed backing of the G-20 for the message contained in the UNSC resolution on Afghanistan.

The MEA statement said Modi “emphasised the need to enhance our joint fight against the nexus of radicalisation, terrorism and the smuggling of drugs and arms in the region”.

Modi highlighted the centuries-old people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan. He also mentioned that India has contributed to promoting socio-economic development and capacity building of youth and women in Afghanistan over the last two decades.