UNSC against Afghanistan turning into Islamic emirate

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 4

The UN Security Council has declared that it does “not support the restoration of the Islamic emirate” in Afghanistan as it expressed deep concern over the high levels of violence in the war-torn country following the Taliban stepping up its military offensive.

The UNSC’s ministration is seen by most of its members as a better alternative than allowing the situation to drift. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to visit New York towards the middle of this month with key focus on Afghanistan.

With India holding the Presidency of the UNSC this month, Jaishankar will quarterback India’s efforts to bring Afghanistan on the global agenda.

India is already backing the efforts of Estonia and Norway, the “penholders” in the UNSC on Afghanistan, for moving forward on the issue.

Three recent developments indicate that the stage may shift from Doha which sources do not believe was conducive to negotiations.

The Taliban made the mistake of attacking a UN compound in Herat which gave the opportunity to India to marshal support for a condemnatory statement. Second, Afghan Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar has also been appealing for UNSC discussions, most recently in a call to Jaishankar.

Third, the White House’s unequivocal backing to the Kabul regime indicates its distaste to matters being decided on the battlefield. US Secretary of State Antony Binken on Tuesday called up Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to discuss the need to accelerate peace negotiations.