India concerned about recent developments in Afghanistan: FS Shringla

New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Monday the government is naturally concerned about recent events in Afghanistan and their consequences for the region.

His remarks on Afghanistan were made in reference to a UN Security Council resolution that demanded that Afghan territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing terrorist acts.

The foreign minister was speaking at the sixth annual JP Morgan 'India Investor Summit.'

"The situation in our neighbourhood, particularly in Afghanistan, and with China on our eastern borders reminds us that while the new realities are making themselves felt, traditional security challenges remain," he said.

Shringla said China's attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo in eastern Ladakh over the last year have seriously disrupted peace and tranquilly in the border areas.

"We've made it clear to the Chinese that maintaining peace and tranquilly along the border is critical to the development of our relationship." The development of India-China relations can only be based on the "three mutuals" — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interests," he said.

India's immediate priority, he said, was the evacuation of Indian nationals from Afghanistan, and added that the vast majority of them had managed to leave Kabul by the end of August.

"Resumption of flights from Kabul airport is, therefore, a priority. We are closely monitoring the unfolding situation," Shringla said.

He also referred to UN Security Council Resolution 2593 on Afghanistan, which was adopted on August 30 under India's presidency of the global body, and noted that it comprehensively addressed the main outstanding issues relating to Afghanistan.

"The resolution demands that Afghan territory not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing terrorist acts; and specifically refers to terrorist individuals proscribed by the UN Security Council, including the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad," Shringla added.

He also emphasised that humanitarian aid must be distributed to all segments of Afghan society in a "non-discriminatory manner."

"India's approach to Afghanistan has been shaped by our long-standing civilisational ties with the Afghan people. We've provided over $3 billion in development assistance to the Afghan people" he stated.

According to the Indian foreign secretary, India has undertaken over 500 development projects in Afghanistan's 34 provinces.