G20 Extraordinary Summit: PM Modi stresses on preventing Afghan territory from becoming source of terrorism

G20 Extraordinary Summit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on preventing Afghan territory from becoming the source of radicalisation and terrorism during the virtual G20 Extraordinary Leaders’ Summit on Afghanistan on October 12, 2021. 

PM Modi highlighted the need for a unified international response based on UNSC Resolution 2593 to improve the situation in Afghanistan. Resolution 2593 was passed by the UNSC under India's presidency on August 30, 2021, with Russia and China abstaining from voting. 

PM Modi also called for urgent and unhindered humanitarian assistance to Afghan citizens and an inclusive administration. The Indian Prime Minister was invited to participate in the summit by Italy, which holds the current G20 presidency. Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi had chaired the meeting. 

A unified international response based on UNSC Resolution 2593 is necessary to improve the situation in Afghanistan.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 12, 2021

G20 Extraordinary Leaders’ Summit: Key Highlights 

Key Agenda

The main agenda of the G20 Extraordinary Leaders’ Summit was a discussion on response to humanitarian needs and access to basic services and livelihood. The other issues that were discussed during the summit include security and fight against terrorism, human rights, migration and mobility.

The summit also focused on the humanitarian aspect of the Afghanistan crisis following the takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban insurgents in August 2021. 

PM Modi's remarks

PM Narendra Modi welcomed the initiative of the Italian G20 Presidency in convening the meeting to take stock of the current situation in Afghanistan. He emphasized on the centuries-old people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan and highlighted India's contribution to promoting socio-economic development and capacity building of youth and women in Afghanistan over the last two decades. 

PM Modi recalled how India had implemented over 500 development projects in Afghanistan. He also noted that Afghan people have a great feeling of friendship with India and conveyed that every Indian feels the pain of Afghan people facing hunger and malnutrition. 

PM Modi emphasized on the need for the international community to ensure Afghan people immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.

The Prime Minister called for an inclusive administration in Afghanistan, which includes women and minorities, to preserve the socio-economic gains of the last 20 years. 

PM Modi, UK PM talks 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his British counterpart Boris Johnson on October 11 to review the progress on the India-UK Agenda 2030. They shared their assessment of the Afghanistan crisis and discussed several other issues including climate action. 

Background 

The Prime Minister had earlier participated in the SCO – CSTO outreach Summit on Afghanistan. Besides this, EAM Dr. S Jaishankar had participated in the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting on Afghanistan on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The United States and the Taliban leaders had also held first-ever talks recently in Doha, Qatar after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. The US clarified that the meeting does not amount to recognition of Taliban. The talks were focused on containing extremist groups, giving humanitarian aid and evacuation of US citizens. The talks were candid and professional, informed US officials. 

The Taliban in its statement claimed that the US had agreed to begin to provide humanitarian aid to the country. The US has not formally confirmed this claim. All aid to Afghanistan was suspended after the Taliban captured Kabul and set up an interim government in Afghanistan. 

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