India at UNSC; resolution calls on Afghanistan not to allow territory to attack any country

United Nations, Aug 30 (UNI) Under India’s month-long presidency, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday that calls for Afghanistan to “not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts”.
With Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla chairing the session, the resolution was passed by 13 countries, with none voting against it, but with Permanent members China and Russia abstaining.
Shringla said that the resolution on Afghanistan “underlines terrorist individuals and entities, designated by the UNSC 1267. This is of direct importance to India…Afghan territory should not be used to threaten, attack any country or to shelter, finance or train terrorists”.
He said adoption of the Resolution is a “strong signal” by the UNSC and international community on its expectation in respect to Afghanistan.
The resolution demands 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, and reiterate the importance of combatting terrorism in Afghanistan, including those individuals and entities designated pursuant to resolution 1267 and notes the Taliban’s relevant commitments.
The resolution — drafted by the United States, Britain and France, also says the council expects the Taliban to allow a “safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals.”
It refers to an August 27 statement by the Taliban in which the hardline Islamists said Afghans would be able to travel abroad, and leave Afghanistan any time they want to, including by any border crossing, both air and ground.
The Security Council “expects that the Taliban will adhere to these and all other commitments,” the resolution says.
The text calls for the Taliban to allow for “full, safe, and unhindered access” for the United Nations and other agencies to provide humanitarian assistance.
It also “reaffirms the importance” of upholding human rights, including of children, women and minorities and encourages all parties to seek an inclusive, negotiated political settlement with the “full, equal and meaningful representation of women.
Russia said it could not support the text because it did not mention the “brain drain” caused by Afghans leaving or the “harmful influence” of the freezing of Afghan financial assets.
China said the current chaos was a direct consequence of Western countries’ “disorderly withdrawal.”
The resolution comes hours ahead of the US set to complete its final withdrawal from Afghanistan.
France ended its evacuation efforts on Friday and Britain followed suit on Saturday.
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