Don’t Forget The Terrorism In Afghanistan: S. Jaishankar

The External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that the whole world is focusing on Russia-Ukraine war but no one is talking about the spreading terrorism in Afghanistan.

The threat posed by terrorists functioning on Afghan territory and the necessity for a concerted international response to this issue should not be forgotten by the world, said S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, on Tuesday.

In their conversations in Moscow, Jaishankar and his Russian colleague Sergey Lavrov touched on a variety of regional topics, such as the humanitarian crisis, terrorism in Afghanistan, and efforts to resurrect the Iran nuclear agreement. 

Jaishankar gave Lavrov an update on recent events in India’s neighborhood, including cross-border terrorism and the economic challenges certain nations are facing.

At a joint press conference with Lavrov, Jaishankar responded to a question by saying, “I think today it is not getting the attention it deserves. It is crucial that the world not forget the situation in Afghanistan.”

With “with good reason,” the international community is concerned about terrorism and terrorists that operate out of Afghanistan. 

He said: “It is reasonable that the international community, especially the neighbors, work together today to assure that there is no terrorism danger that emanates out of Afghanistan,” in reference to the Taliban’s promises made in this respect.

By giving food, medicine, and Covid-19 vaccinations as well as “trying to discover means by which the Afghan nation is helped in a very terrible phase of their history,” Jaishankar said, India has moved forward to solve the humanitarian issue in Afghanistan.

Resolution 2593 of the UN Security Council covers the pledges made in relation to Afghanistan, and it is “essential that those responsibilities are kept.” India and Russia have addressed Afghanistan in a variety of settings, and India is looking forward to participating in the “Moscow format” of talks.

Jaishankar said India believes a solution “must be found in the interest of global peace, security, and non-proliferation” in reference to efforts to resurrect the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Iran’s nuclear deal, which failed when former president Donald Trump withdrew the US from the agreement.

Jaishankar informed Lavrov on recent developments in the Indian territory, noting that some nations had seen “severe economic challenges” and that there were further sources of instability. 

Without mentioning Pakistan, he stated that “terrorism, including its cross-border expression, remains a big worry.”

He noted that India and Russia place a high importance on Asean’s prominent position within the bigger regional architecture since they have a stake in the growth and development of the Indo-Pacific.

The current state of affairs in West Asia, especially issues pertaining to Palestine and Syria, was also discussed by the two parties.

India currently has a diverse range of interests and is expanding its influence. This is shown in part by our UN obligations, such as serving as the chair of the Libya Committee, in part by our longstanding relationships with Africa, and in part by our growing economic linkages to numerous other countries, according to Jaishankar.

“The globe is rebalancing steadily and continuously, heading towards increasing multi-polarity. Additionally, a multipolar Asia is a result of this.

 This would inevitably affect the dialogues between Russia and India because both countries are powerful and have a successful track record of cooperation,” he noted.

The G20, Brics, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the operations of the UN and its important committees were all discussed by the two sides as examples of multilateral forums where they cooperate and coordinate. 

The “argument for restructured internationalism, including a restructured UN Security Council,” according to Jaishankar, “is becoming impossible to ignore.”