EAM Jaishankar Discusses Current Situation in Afghanistan with UN Assistance Mission Chief

  • April 18, 2024, 5:04 p.m.

New Delhi, India - External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Special Representative Roza Otunbayeva, on Thursday morning. The meeting was held to discuss the current situation in Afghanistan.

Jaishankar expressed pleasure at welcoming Otunbayeva and stated that they exchanged views on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan. “Glad to receive Special Representative Roza Otunbayeva, Head of UNAMA this morning. Exchanged views on the current situation in Afghanistan,” Jaishankar stated.

In addition to the discussion on the current situation, Jaishankar emphasized that India has provided wheat, medicines, pesticides, and school supplies to help Afghanistan. He appreciated the role of UN agencies as partners in these endeavors.

India’s efforts to help Afghanistan have been ongoing. In January, India supplied 40,000 litres of Malathion, a pesticide used to fight the locust menace, through the Chabahar port.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of the UN Deputy Mission in Afghanistan, Roza Otenbayeva, has once again drawn attention to the growing risk that prohibitions on women would drive Afghanistan even deeper into poverty and isolation.

Otenbayeva urged the Taliban to abolish the restrictions placed on women and girls as the world observes International Women’s Solidarity Day on March 8. She expressed regret at seeing a “disastrous negative investment” in Afghanistan, which causes serious harm to women and girls and impedes peace and prosperity.

The global leaders have highlighted the dire need for swift action to alleviate the situation of women and girls, who are disproportionately impacted by the conflict and socioeconomic limitations. It is crucial that coordinated efforts be made to remove obstacles, promote inclusivity, and support women’s rights in Afghanistan as the international world rallies support for their rights.

Many governments across the world have denounced the Taliban’s full-scale attack on the rights of Afghan women and girls. Despite the Taliban’s initial promise to take a moderate approach towards women’s rights after it seized power in August 2021, the ban on higher education is just one of many steps that the armed group has taken to further segregate the country and limit women’s role in society.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

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