United Nations: Afghan peace talks without "perceptible reduction" in violence by the Taliban will not eliminate risks to reconciliation, India has said as it called on the Security Council to strengthen its sanctions regime to ensure listed terror outfits are denied safe havens.
"India has always maintained that any such peace talks have to be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned and should only be with those Taliban sympathisers who are willing to accept and work within the Constitution of Afghanistan," India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Bhagwant Bishnoi told a Security Council debate on Afghanistan here on Monday.
"Talks without perceptible reduction in violence by the Taliban will not eliminate risks and threats to peace and reconciliation," he said.
Bishnoi said given the increasing spurt of terrorist attacks in different parts of the world and its ongoing activity in Afghanistan, the Security Council must look at ways to paralyse these terrorist organisations.
The Council, which has passed several resolutions to counter terrorism that are binding on all member states, should strengthen its sanctions regime structure in order to "effectively impose and implement the restrictions placed on the listed terrorist organisations, so as to deny them sanctuaries and safe haven," he said.
Pakistan's Acting Permanent Representative to the UN Nabeel Munir said while his country had given its full support to combating violence, it was upto the Afghans themselves to "put their house in order".
He said there was clear consensus that use of force alone might not achieve peace and robust reconciliation, if seriously pursued, was the only way to achieve that goal.
It was in that spirit that Pakistan had facilitated direct talks between the Afghan Government and the Taliban, and it stood ready to play that role again, he said adding that no one should cast aspersions on Pakistan’s sincerity.
Noting that Afghan National Security Forces need continued support of the international community to defend Afghanistan's unity and security, Bishnoi said India is ready to work with Afghanistan to strengthen its defensive capability.
He stressed that India's main concern remains that over the security situation in Afghanistan and cited the latest UN Secretary-General's report, which said terrorism is the main source of insecurity and instability in the war-torn nation.
"What is alarming is the revelation in recent reports, including the UNSG's report, regarding the presence of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) affiliated groups, particularly in Nangarhar Province," he said.
He also strongly condemned Monday's attack outside Bagram air base as well as the "dastardly" terrorist attacks on the Kandahar airport and the Spanish Embassy in Kabul earlier this month.
"This is indeed alarming and the Council must act against this threat with a sense of urgency," he said.
He noted that Afghanistan would be able to achieve its optimal economic potential only if it is allowed freedom of transit to major markets in South Asia.
"We have also formally indicated our willingness to join the Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade and Transit Agreement.
India is also working with Afghanistan and Iran to develop trilateral transit," he said adding that participation in development of the Chahbahar Port will augment India’s connectivity with Afghanistan and beyond.
The Council extended and adjusted its sanctions regime against individuals and entities affiliated with the Taliban clarifying exemptions to travel bans and asset freezes, as
well as language on the need to combat the financing of terrorism deciding to review the implementation of those and other measures in 18 months.
Unanimously adopting the resolution, the Council decided that the travel ban would not apply where the Committee determined - on a case-by-case basis only – that such entry or transit was justified.
To combat the financing of terrorism, the Council called upon States to move "vigorously and decisively" to cut the flow of funds and other financial assets and economic resources to individuals and entities on the Sanction List.
It also strongly condemned the continuing flow of weapons, military equipment and component for improvised explosive device to the Taliban, expressing serious concern at their destabilizing impact on Afghanistan’s security.
It encouraged States to share information, establish partnerships and develop national strategies and capabilities to counter the devices.
