India committed to support and preserve Afghanistan's unity, territorial integrity: Syed Akbaruddin

Speaking at the UNSC debate on UNAMA, Akbaruddin said that if security situation is not contained, it poses serious threats to the region

Asserting that the United Nations Security Council needs to look into the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that Kabul has New Delhi's full support in strengthening its defence capabilities to preserve its unity and territorial integrity.

Speaking at the UN Security Council debate on United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Tuesday, Akbaruddin highlighted that if the security situation is not contained, it poses serious threats to the region.

"The Security Council needs to look into the deteriorating security situation and the means to contain it as it could pose serious threats to the gains made by the people of Afghanistan in the last 15 years," he said.

"Afghanistan has our full support for strengthening its defence capabilities to preserve its unity and territorial integrity, as it is the most important antidote to the worsening security situation in the country," he added.

Expressing condolences at the loss of lives and property in the bomb attack in Kabul on June 20, in which around 20 people had died, Ambassador Akbaruddin stressed on the fact that attacks by the Taliban in the region were on the rise.

"The Taliban are continuing attacks at an unprecedented rate since the beginning of the year and there is continued violence by other armed groups. According to the Secretary General's Report armed clashes have increased this year compared to the same period in 2015. This situation has put renewed focus on the need for enhanced engagement and action by the international community," he said.

He also pressed before during the UN Security Council Debate that those perpetrating violence in Afghanistan should not be allowed to exercise control in any part of the region.

"Groups and individuals that perpetrate violence against the people and the Government of Afghanistan cannot have safe havens and should not be allowed to exercise control and wield influence over any part of Afghanistan's territory. This, in our view, is critical for lasting peace in the country," he said.

Ambassador Akbaruddin said that Security Council sanctions on regimes like Al-Qaeda, Taliban should be carried out consistently.

The effective implementation of the Security Council sanctions regime including the 1267 ISIL / Al-Qaeda Sanctions regime and the 1988 Taliban's regime should also be carried out consistently and with perseverance for it to serve as a strong deterrent to the listed entities / individuals. It is sheer folly that the leader of a proscribed entity is not yet designated as a terrorist individual," he added.

Speaking at the joint inauguration of Friendship Dam on June 2016, he recalled, "Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani inaugurated the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam. As, Prime Minister Modi mentioned then, India's capacity may be limited but our commitment to Afghanistan is without limits."

He also highlighted the signing of Chahbahar trade and transit agreement signed by India, Afghanistan and Iran on May 23, which India hope will provide a new path to prosperity and reliable access to Afghanistan.

He reiterated that India is strongly committed to supporting Afghanistan in various plurilateral and multilateral fora.

Ambassador Akbaruddin said that India looks forward to hosting Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference in December 2016.

"We welcome cooperation of participating countries as well as supporting countries and organisations for the Ministerial Conference and related events in political, security, economic, connectivity and cultural spheres, to be organised in the run-up to the Conference," he said.

He added, "We believe that the path to reconciliation in Afghanistan should be through an Afghan-led and Afghan owned process respecting the red lines drawn by the people of Afghanistan and the international community especially the ones regarding giving up of violence and abiding by the constitution of Afghanistan."

The ambassador also applauded the role of UNAMA in providing assistance in the various sectors of Afghanistan's transformation decade.