New Delhi:
One cannot satisfy everybody every time could be a well established dictum in diplomacy.
Russia says its concerns raised vis-a-vis UNSC Resolution on Afghanistan "were not reflected in the text".
China too has its issues.
But with this resolution, India played a crucial role. This was adopted with India at the chair and New Delhi was represented by Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla.
"The UNSC Resolution 2593 addresses India’s key concerns pertaining to Afghanistan at this time. Therefore, we played an active role in ensuring its passage," a source said.
A crucial aspect of this resolution is that it survived the veto votes of two permanent members, Russia and China.
Hence, in a sense adoption of the resolution itself is a no mean thing or so to say. It is also significant that the Resolution has declared that the Security Council decides to remain "seized" of the matters pertaining to Afghanistan.
This was a futuristic remark but it generates some hopes that in future the UNSC could act more tough and perhaps be more articulate and clear.
"We believe that this decision to say UN body will be 'seized' of the matter has an important bearing on the course of developments in Afghanistan," a source said adding it is a "matter of satisfaction" that the Indian Presidency could contribute to serious "international consideration" of this key issue.
Two other areas - India can draw some elements of satisfaction were in reference to the UNSC Resolution 1267, of course with regard to Pakistan-based terror organisations Lashker-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
The resolution "demanded" that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts.
India has been in continuous touch over the last few days with key members of the UNSC. The Afghan issue was the subject of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar's phone conversation with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and high-level official contacts with other members.
Importantly, yet again from India's perspective, the resolution also addresses India’s immediate concerns about facilitating travel from Afghanistan, including Kabul Airport.
"This will cover Indian nationals stranded in the country as well as Afghan nationals including minorities Sikhs and Hindus who wish to travel to India," a source in the know of things explained.
Russia, China and their issues:
Both Russia and China abstained.
"During the talks, we stressed the inadmissibility of negative impacts of the evacuation of highly-qualified Afghan personnel on Afghanistan's socio-economic development," said Russian Permanent Representative at UN, Vassily Nebenzia.
But these elements "which are important for the Afghan people were not reflected in the text", he lamented.
The Russian diplomat also said, "....we see attempts to shift responsibility for the failure of the United States’ and its allies’ 20-year presence in Afghanistan onto the Taliban movement and countries of the region, which will have to face consequences of this long campaign".
He stressed that Russia will continue to support Afghanistan. "On its part, Russia wants to see peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan, with no terrorist and drug threats coming from its territory. We will continue to help Afghans attain this goal," he said, according to Tass.
US Permanent Representative to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told journalists - "We were disappointed by abstentions of Russia and China".
China blamed the disorderly withdrawal of troops for the chaos in Afghanistan.
"Recent chaos in Afghanistan is directly related to the disorderly withdrawal of foreign troops. We hope that relevant countries would realize that withdrawal is not the end of responsibility but the beginning of reflection and correction," said Chinese representative.
On August 30 at foreign ministry briefing in Beijing, spokesman Wang Wenbin said: "I have also noticed that the Afghan Taliban have reportedly refused the proposal of setting up a "safe zone". China believes that the international community should respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and the will of the Afghan people. Any action to be taken by the Security Council and the international community should be conducive to ease the conflict and facilitate a smooth transition in the country".
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Jaishankar, Doval part of special panel on Afghanistan formed by PM
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking developments related to Afghanistan closely.
In view of the evolving situation, he has also set up a high-level group comprising External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval and several senior officials.
This panel is to 'focus' on the immediate priorities of India, a source said.
"This group has been meeting regularly over the last few days. It is seized of issues pertaining to the safe return of stranded Indians, the travel of Afghan nationals (especially minorities) to India," the source said.
India and the rest of the world have been assured that the territory of Afghanistan is "not used in any manner" for terrorism directed against India.
"The group has also been monitoring the ground situation in Afghanistan and international reactions, including the Resolution passed this morning by the UN Security Council".
India played a crucial role in adoption of this resolution.
This was adopted with India at the chair and New Delhi was represented at the meeting by Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla.
"The UNSC Resolution 2593 addresses India’s key concerns pertaining to Afghanistan at this time. Therefore, we played an active role in ensuring its passage," a source said.
A crucial aspect of this resolution is that it could avoid the veto votes of two permanent members, Russia and China.
It is also significant that the Resolution has declared that the Security Council decides to remain "seized" of the matters pertaining to Afghanistan.
This was a futuristic remark but it generates some hopes that in future the UNSC could act more tough and perhaps be more articulate and clear.
"We believe that this decision to say UN body will be 'seized' of the matter has an important bearing on the course of developments in Afghanistan," a source said.
It is a "matter of satisfaction" that the Indian Presidency could contribute to serious "international consideration" of this key issue.
Two other areas - India can draw some elements of satisfaction were in reference to the UNSC Resolution 1267, of course with regard to Pakistan-based terror organisations Lashker-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
The resolution "demanded" that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts.
The draft from the 15-member strong council, co-written by the US, UK and France, simply “expects that the Taliban will adhere" to its various commitments.
ends
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