India abstains from UN vote on Afghanistan, calls out terror groups exploiting Afghan soil
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New Delhi: India abstained from voting on a UN Security General Assembly resolution expressing deep concern on the situation in Afghanistan and urging the Taliban to reverse repressive policies and ensure inclusive governance, while calling for measures to stop exploitation of Afghan territory by terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed The draft resolution, introduced by Germany, was adopted by the 193-member body on Monday with 116 votes in favour, two against and 12 abstentions, including Russia and China. Last week, Russia had become the first country to recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan.Pakistan, which has a strained relationship with Afghanistan owing to issues including attacks by the militant group Tehrik-e-Taliban, voted in favour of the resolution, while the United States and Israel voted against it."The international community must direct its coordinated efforts towards ensuring that entities and individuals designated by the UN Security Council, the Al Qaeda and their affiliates, ISIL and their affiliates, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, along with their regional sponsors who facilitate their operations, no longer exploit the Afghan territory for terrorist activities," India's permanent envoy to the UN ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said during his explanation on the country's stance, in an oblique reference to Pakistan's role in Afghanistan.Harish said that on the political front, external affairs minister S Jaishankar recently spoke to the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi.There is a possibility that Jaishankar could meet Muttaqi amid efforts by India and Afghanistan to expand ties, according to people with knowledge of the matter. "We welcome the strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack of April 22, 2025, by the Afghan side," Harish said.While reaffirming India's long-standing partnership with the Afghan people, Harish said India's decision was based on both principle and pragmatism. "I would like to reiterate India's historic ties with the people of Afghanistan and our enduring commitment to meeting their humanitarian and developmental needs," he said. "While we remain committed to continued engagement with all relevant stakeholders and broadly support the international community's efforts towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan, India has decided to abstain on this resolution."
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