Topics Covered: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
At UNSC, India calls for immediate ceasefire in Afghanistan:
Context:
India has called for an “immediate comprehensive ceasefire” in Afghanistan.
- At a recent UNSC meeting, convened under the Arria Formula (informally convened at the request of a UNSC member), India reiterated that “For durable peace in Afghanistan, we have to put an end to terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries operating across the Durand Line.”
Why is India concerned?
The Afghan peace process and premature withdrawal of NATO/ U.S. coalition forces could leave opportunities for terrorist networks that could target both Afghanistan and India.
- As recently as May of this year, the UN issued a report providing evidence that despite assurances from the Taliban to the United States, Al Qaeda is still present and active in Afghanistan, harboured by the Taliban.
What needs to be done now?
For violence to end in Afghanistan, terrorist supply chains must be broken.
Four requirements for peace and stability in Afghanistan highlighted by India are:
- The process had to be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.
- There must be zero tolerance for terrorism.
- Rights of women need to be strongly protected, the rights of the minorities and the vulnerable need to be safeguarded.
- The transit rights of Afghanistan should not be used by countries “to extract [a] political price from Afghanistan.”
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Where is Durand Line?
- India and its various international boundaries.
- Afghanistan and its neighbours.
- UNSC- Permanent Members.
Mains Link:
Discuss the need for an “immediate comprehensive ceasefire” in Afghanistan.
Sources: the Hindu.
