Afghanistan Crisis: 'Men, Women, Children Living In Constant State Of Fear,' India Expresses Concern At UNSC

India, at UNSC special session, urged members to ensure that Afghanistan's territory is not used by terrorist groups to threaten or attack any other country.

India's Ambassador to UN - TS Tirumurti (ANI Photo)

New Delhi: India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti on Monday addressed an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council being held under India's current presidency on Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.

India told United Nations that Afghan men, women, and children are living under a constant state of fear, news agency ANI reported.

"As a neighbour of Afghanistan, as a friend of its people, the current situation prevailing in the country is of great concern to us in India. Afghan men, women, and children are living under a constant state of fear," India's Ambassador to UN, TS Tirumurti said.

This was the UN's second meeting on Afghanistan under India's presidency at the council. Estonia and Norway requested an urgent session after the Taliban took over Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday.

Ahead of the crisis, India said that it had ongoing development projects in every one of 34 provinces of Afghanistan. "We call upon parties concerned to maintain law and order, ensure safety and security of all concerned including UN diplomatic and consular personnel," Tirumurti said.

It was emphasised that in recent years, India significantly contributed to the development of Afghanistan. Indian development projects have been undertaken in critical areas like water, road, healthcare, education, agriculture and capacity building.

Turmoil In Kabul

Talking about the turmoil at Kabul airport, Tirumurti said: "We have seen very unfortunate scenes at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul that is widespread panic among the people. Women and children are in distress. Incidents of firing have been reported from the city including the airport."

The statement was about the visuals of US troops who were seen attempting to clear Afghans who flooded onto the airfield jostling, pushing and shoving to get on to planes in a desperate attempt to flee the country.

The Ambassador, at UNSC special session, urged members to have zero-tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

"If there is zero-tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and it's ensured that Afghan territory isn't used by terrorist groups to threaten or attack any other country, then Afghanistan's neighbours and region would feel safer," he said at the UNSC meeting, as quoted by ANI.

Trimurti also stressed how Afghans are worried about whether their right to live with dignity, would be respected. There are many unanswered questions after the collapse of the Afghan Government, he said.

"We hope that the situation stabilizes soon, and the parties concerned, address the humanitarian and security issues. We also hope that there is an inclusive dispensation, which represents all sections of Afghan society. Voices of Afghan women aspirations of Afghan children, and the rights of minorities, must be respected, a broader representation would help the arrangement in more acceptability and legitimacy," said Tirumurti.

"Afghanistan has already seen enough bloodshed in the past. It is time for the international community to come together unitedly rising above any partisan interests to support the people of Afghanistan in their desire for peace, stability and security in the country," urged Titumurti.

Meanwhile, earlier today, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi had informed that the MEA is "in constant touch with the representatives of Afghan Sikh and Hindu communities and will facilitate repatriation to India of those who wish to leave Afghanistan".

(With Agency Inputs)