PTI
United Nations
India has strongly condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan as a “flagrant violation” of international law, saying it is “hypocritical” to invoke Islamic solidarity while carrying out attacks that have killed civilians during Ramadan.
Addressing a Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan on Monday, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni reiterated New Delhi’s support for the UN Secretary-General’s call for compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law, and for ensuring the protection of civilians.
“India strongly condemns the airstrikes on Afghan territory, which are flagrant violations of international law and the UN Charter and the principle of
state sovereignty.
“It is hypocritical to espouse high principles of international law and Islamic solidarity on the one hand, while mercilessly carrying out air strikes during the holy month of Ramadan that have killed 185 innocent civilians as of March 6, more than half of whom are women and children,” he said. According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), around 55 per cent of the 185 victims were women and children, and more than 100,000 people have been displaced due to the attacks.
Harish noted that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ report also expresses deep concern at civilian casualties caused by cross-border armed violence.
India reiterated its support for the Secretary General’s call, urging compliance with obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and ensuring protection of civilians.
Pakistan had launched airstrikes in Afghanistan in late February, resulting in heavy casualties and injuries.
Harish also reiterated India’s grave concern on the practice of “trade and transit terrorism” by denial of passage for trade and cynical closure of access for a land locked country.
He said UN declarations on Land Locked Developing countries (LLDCs) sound hollow in the face of such actions. “The trade and transit vulnerabilities of LLDCs should not be weaponised. This is a violation of WTO norms and of the UN Charter and international law. While we condemn these acts, we reaffirm our support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Afghanistan,” he said.
On terrorism, Harish pointed out that it remains a global scourge afflicting humanity and only coordinated efforts of the international community would ensure that ISIL and Al Qaida and their affiliates including Pakistan-based “Lashkar e Tayyiba and Jaish -e- Mohammed and proxies of LeT such as The Resistance Front, along with those who facilitate their operations, no longer indulge in cross border terrorism.”
Later, India also exercised its Right of Reply to strongly respond to Pakistan’s statement in the Council meeting.
“I could not have expected anything better from the esteemed representative of Pakistan. The laundry list that is regurgitated ad nauseum at every meeting of the Council and wastes the time of this august body is well known,” Harish said.
He reiterated that India’s assistance is directed at the “friendly people of Afghanistan. What we have done in Afghanistan is known to the people of Afghanistan and to the international community. I need add no further comment. As far as problems in Pakistan are concerned, Pakistan would do well to look in the mirror and look at problems within, rather than blame my country for what it faces.”
Harish told the Council that India prioritises capacity building and Humanitarian Assistance initiatives for the Afghan people. With more than 500 development partnership projects spread across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan, India is deepening its engagement in healthcare, public infrastructure and capacity building.
India continues to work with UN agencies as well as with agencies such as the Afghanistan Red Cross Society in food security, healthcare, education and sports. The visits of Afghan Ministers last year are “helping us ensure that this aid is reaching those who need it the most.”
