NEW YORK (Diya TV) — India has urged the international community to take firm action against terrorist groups using Afghan territory for attacks. At a recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting, India’s envoy emphasized the need for targeted international cooperation to stop groups like Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed from operating in Afghanistan.

On Monday, the UNGA adopted a resolution titled “The situation in Afghanistan.” The resolution passed with 116 votes in favor, two against (from the United States and Israel), and 12 abstentions, including India.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, explained the abstention. He said a “business as usual” approach is not enough to address the worsening crisis in Afghanistan. India believes new and targeted strategies are needed to support the Afghan people and maintain regional security.

Speaking at the UN, Harish said India is closely watching the security developments in Afghanistan. He called for strong global efforts to stop terrorist groups from exploiting Afghan soil.

He said, “The international community must direct its coordinated efforts towards ensuring that entities and individuals designated by the UN Security Council — including Al Qaeda, ISIL, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed — no longer exploit the Afghan territory for terrorist activities.”

India has consistently raised concerns about regional sponsors supporting these groups. Harish stressed that their operations pose a serious threat to peace and stability, both in Afghanistan and across South Asia.

Harish also highlighted India’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with the Afghan administration. He referred to recent talks between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed acting Foreign Minister.

He said India appreciated Afghanistan’s condemnation of the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam. These conversations, he noted, reflect efforts to maintain open lines of communication on regional and bilateral issues.

India emphasized its deep ties with the Afghan people. Harish stated that India’s approach to Afghanistan is based on a long-standing friendship. He said India, as a neighboring country, has a direct interest in promoting peace and development there.

Since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, India has provided significant humanitarian assistance. This includes 50,000 metric tons of wheat, 330 metric tons of medicine and vaccines, and 58.6 metric tons of other essential items. India also sent 40,000 liters of pesticide to help Afghan agriculture.

Harish said India works closely with UN agencies to provide aid in critical areas such as health, education, food security, and sports. In partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, India has supplied 84 metric tons of medicine and 32 metric tons of social support materials for drug rehabilitation programs, especially for women.

India has also provided over 2,000 scholarships since 2023 for Afghan students, including nearly 600 for girls and women.

Harish stressed that dealing with post-conflict situations like Afghanistan requires a balanced approach. He said punitive measures alone will not work. Instead, policies should encourage positive behavior and discourage harmful actions.

He criticized the global response since August 2021 as lacking new tools to deal with the worsening humanitarian situation. “A ‘business as usual’ approach… is unlikely to deliver the outcomes the international community envisions for the Afghan people,” he said.

Even though India abstained from voting, Harish reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan. He said India will continue working with international and regional partners to help create a peaceful and stable future for the Afghan people.

“Our enduring commitment to meeting their humanitarian and developmental needs remains unchanged,” he concluded.