Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually participates in the G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan from New Delhi on October 12, 2021. (PIB)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 12, 2021, called for an inclusive administration in Afghanistan, which includes women and minorities.
Highlighting the centuries-old people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan, PM Modi noted that India has contributed to promoting socio-economic development and capacity building of youth and women in Afghanistan over the last two decades.
“Over 500 development projects have been implemented by India in Afghanistan,” said the Prime Minister.
An inclusive administration in Afghanistan is necessary to preserve the socio-economic gains of the last 20 years and to restrict the spread of radical ideology, said PM Modi while participating virtually in the G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan.
The meeting was convened by Italy, which currently holds the G20 Presidency, and chaired by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
Issues under consideration at the meeting related to the humanitarian situation, concerns relating to terrorism, and human rights in Afghanistan.
PM Modi 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 exhorted 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”.
Prime Minister Modi also underlined the need to ensure that Afghan territory does not become a source of radicalisation and terrorism, regionally or globally.
He said that there is a dire need to enhance joint fight against the nexus of radicalisation, terrorism, and the smuggling of drugs and arms in the region.
Maintaining that every Indian feels the pain of Afghan people facing hunger and malnutrition, PM Modi emphasized the need for the international community to ensure that Afghanistan has immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.
In his opening remarks, PM Modi welcomed the initiative of the Italian G20 Presidency in convening the meeting to take stock of the current situation in Afghanistan. (Press Release)
