Afghan Minister urges India to hold special UN Security session amid rising Taliban violence

New Delhi: Afghanistan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar on Wednesday emphasised the need to hold a special session of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan during a telephone conversation with the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Atmar talked about the escalation of violence, widespread human rights violations by the Taliban, and the foreign terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan.

Highlighting the war crimes committed by the Taliban in their recent attacks carried out in collusion with foreign fighters and terrorist groups in Afghanistan, Atmar called them flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and warned of catastrophic ramifications.

The Foreign Minister also raised with his Indian counterpart the unprecedented increase in the Taliban's brutal attacks on the Afghan people, which have resulted in the killing of scores of civilians and displacement of many thousands of others.

Meanwhile, the Indian Minister of External Affairs expressed his country's deep concern over the escalation of violence, insecurity, and explicit human rights violations by the Taliban and terrorists in Afghanistan.

Jaishankar agreed on the holding of the UN Security Council meeting for the immediate cessation of human rights abuses and the establishment of lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

He also reassured Minister Atmar of his country's commitment to reviewing Afghanistan's proposal and conducting the necessary consultations.

The two sides also discussed the agenda and the level of participation in the upcoming meetings on the Afghan peace process in Doha.