New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, Oct 12, told a G-20 virtual meet that there is a need to prevent Afghan territory from becoming the "source of radicalisation and terrorism".
"Participated in the G20 Summit on Afghanistan. Stressed on preventing Afghan territory from becoming the source of radicalisation and terrorism," he tweeted after the meet. He also called for urgent and unhindered humanitarian assistance to Afghan citizens and an "inclusive administration".
In his remarks, the Prime Minister welcomed the initiative of the Italian G20 Presidency in convening the crucial meeting to take stock of the current situation in Afghanistan. He emphasised the centuries-old people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan.
"The Prime Minister noted that the Afghan people have a great feeling of friendship for India. He conveyed that every Indian feels the pain of Afghan people facing hunger and malnutrition," an MEA statement said.
Mr Modi emphasised the need for the international community to ensure that Afghanistan has "immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance".
The Prime Minister mentioned that India has contributed to promoting socio-economic development and capacity building of youth and women in Afghanistan over the last two decades. He recalled that India had implemented over 500 development projects in Afghanistan.
Mr Modi also emphasised the need "to enhance our joint fight against the nexus of radicalisation, terrorism and the smuggling of drugs and arms in the region." Reference to drug smuggling is significant as following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, there are apprehensions that drug smuggling could increase in the region.
To preserve the socio-economic gains of the last 20 years and restrict the spread of radical ideology, the Prime Minister called for an inclusive administration in Afghanistan, which "includes women and minorities". He conveyed support for the important role of the United Nations in Afghanistan and called for renewed support of the G20 for the message contained in UN Security Council Resolution 2593 on Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister called on the international community to forge a unified international response without which it would be difficult to bring about the desired change in Afghanistan's situation, the MEA statement said.
The agenda of the Extra-ordinary Leaders meeting of G-20 was to include a discussion on response to humanitarian needs and access to basic services and livelihood; security and the fight against terrorism; and mobility, migration and human rights.
The G-20 comprises twenty of the world's major economies and is always an important platform to help build international consensus.
