During the quarterly open meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Afghanistan, representatives from China, Russia, and India stressed the necessity of practical engagement, the lifting of unilateral sanctions, and support for the country’s sustainable development.
Geng Shuang, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, highlighted the positive progress made by the Afghan interim government over the past five years in areas such as economic reconstruction, counter-narcotics, and foreign engagement.
He urged the international community to adopt a comprehensive and objective view, release Afghanistan’s frozen assets, lift unilateral sanctions, and resume aid. Concurrently, the Chinese representative noted that challenges persist regarding humanitarian needs, development, counter-terrorism, and women’s rights, urging the authorities to guarantee the fundamental rights of all citizens, particularly women.
Meanwhile, Vasily Nebenzia, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, rejected unilateral approaches and pressure tactics, advocating instead for dialogue built on mutual trust. He described the foreign troop withdrawal from five years ago as irresponsible, noting that prior predictions of total collapse did not materialize and that there is no alternative to genuine, practical interaction with the authorities in Kabul.
India’s Permanent Representative, Parvathaneni Harish, reiterated his country’s support for peace, stability, and prosperity that fosters sustainable development. Highlighting India’s active participation in regional initiatives and the Doha process working groups, he noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly believes a peaceful and secure Eurasian region is intrinsically linked to stability in Afghanistan.
This quarterly open session focused on evaluating the overall situation in Afghanistan, with closed-door consultations scheduled to follow as announced by the Security Council.
