India chose not to vote on a United Nations General Assembly resolution about Afghanistan. The resolution was introduced by Germany and talked about the situation in Afghanistan. It was passed with 116 countries in favor, 2 against, and 12 countries, including India, choosing to abstain. India’s Ambassador to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, explained that simply punishing Afghanistan would not help solve its problems. He said that a good plan should include both rewards for good actions and penalties for bad ones and that only using punishment would not work.

Harish also said that India is watching the security situation in Afghanistan very closely. He stressed that the world should work together to make sure terrorist groups like Al Qaeda, ISIS, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed, as well as their supporters, do not use Afghanistan for terrorist activities. This was a reference to Pakistan.
The resolution also mentioned the help given by neighbouring countries to the Afghan people, like educational support from India, Iran, Turkiye, and other countries in the region, which offer opportunities for Afghan students to continue their studies.

These opportunities for Afghan students show how neighbouring countries are supporting Afghanistan and investing in its future. The UN resolution also asked the Taliban to work with other countries and experts to help Afghanistan grow and develop. It said Afghanistan can play an important role in connecting Central and South Asia, which can help bring peace and stability. The resolution mentioned that Afghanistan has always been a “land bridge” in Asia, and working with nearby countries on economic projects can help the country develop and become more stable.

India’s Ambassador Harish said that India’s main goals in Afghanistan are to give humanitarian help and support projects that build skills and improve lives. India has been working with UN agencies to help Afghans with health care, food, education, and sports. India has done more than 500 development projects across Afghanistan to show its strong support.

Since the Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021, India has sent about 50,000 metric tons of wheat, over 330 metric tons of medicines and vaccines, 40,000 litres of pesticide, and about 59 metric tons of other important items to help millions of Afghans in need. India has also worked with the UN to provide help for drug rehabilitation programs, especially for women, by sending 84 metric tons of medical supplies and 32 metric tons of social support items.

India continues to give scholarships and fellowships to Afghan students. Since 2023, India has given scholarships to 2,000 Afghan students, including about 600 girls and women. Harish also spoke about India’s long and friendly relationship with the Afghan people and said India will keep helping them with their humanitarian and development needs.