India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, emphasized the strong “people-to-people” ties between India and Afghanistan during a recent UN Security Council meeting on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Harish underscored that these historical connections serve as the foundation for India’s present-day diplomatic and humanitarian engagement with Afghanistan.
In his address, Harish shared that Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had met with Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, in Dubai earlier this year. During the meeting, both sides discussed various bilateral and regional issues. Harish revealed that the Afghan side had expressed appreciation for India’s continued support of the Afghan people, particularly acknowledging India’s ongoing humanitarian efforts. The two countries also discussed India’s potential future involvement in development projects in Afghanistan.
“India has always been closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and continues to engage in regional and international efforts to foster stability and peace in the country,” Harish said. He further highlighted India’s active participation in international forums like the UN meetings in Doha and the Moscow Format, which serve to further its objective of ensuring peace, stability, and development in Afghanistan.
Harish also emphasized India’s longstanding commitment to Afghanistan’s reconstruction, noting that since 2001, India has been involved in over 500 development projects across Afghanistan, spanning various sectors.
In response, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has acknowledged India as a “significant regional and economic partner,” with the Afghan authorities welcoming New Delhi’s continued support for Kabul.
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