India Reaffirms Support for Afghans and Women, Urges Aid for Health Sector
India’s representative to the United Nations has reiterated his country’s continued support for the people of Afghanistan and called on the international community to maintain principled cooperation with Afghanistan, particularly in support of women and the health sector.
Harish Parvathaneni, speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, expressed concern over the forced return of Afghan migrants and said the process must be voluntary, safe and carried out with respect for human dignity. He urged countries to prioritise humanitarian considerations in their treatment of migrants.
Citing a report by the UN secretary-general, he also said that 150 health centres in Afghanistan were closed in the first half of this year. According to him, the situation highlights the need for greater investment by countries to strengthen Afghanistan’s health system.
Parvathaneni said India would continue its commitment to humanitarian aid for the people of Afghanistan. He added that the assistance is delivered to those in need in cooperation with UN agencies and organisations such as the Afghan Red Crescent Society.
According to the Indian representative, the country has contributed to development efforts through more than 500 partnership projects in 34 Afghan provinces. He also said India has become one of the main destinations for Afghan exports and continues to provide the dedicated Afghanistan-India air freight corridor, duty-free access for Afghan goods and the issuing of free long-term business visas for Afghan traders.
Parvathaneni also reiterated his country’s support for UNAMA and wished success to its new chief, Roza Otunbayeva. UNAMA is the United Nations political mission in Afghanistan, coordinating the organisation’s work in political, humanitarian and human rights fields.
