India's priority in Afghanistan is getting citizens home safely: Jaishankar
Darpan News Desk IANS, 18 Aug, 2021 03:08 PM
United Nations, Aug 18 (IANS) India's priority in Afghanistan is safely getting back home its citizens in the country that has been over-run by the Taliban and it is discussing the matter with UN and US officials, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said here on Wednesday.
"Our focus is on ensuring the security in Afghanistan and the safe return of Indian nationals who are there," he told reporters.
"That is really what has been very much the focus of my own engagements here, talking to the UN Secretary General (Antonio Guterres), to other colleagues who are here, as well as with the US Secretary of State (Antony Blinken) a few days ago," he said.
India has been running an airlift of its citizens from Afghanistan and Jaishankar discussed it with Blinken, whose country is controlling the Kabul airport.
He said that these were "early days" of the new situation in Afghanistan and "at the moment, we are like everybody else very carefully following developments in Afghanistan".
As regards future relations with Afghanistan, he emphasised the historic people-to-people ties.
Asked by a reporter if India, which has made a "considerable investment" in Afghanistan over the last 20 years, would continue that relationship, Jaishankar said: "While you use the word investment, for us it reflected what was historical relationship with the Afghan people. I think that relationship with the Afghan people obviously continues and that will guide our approach to Afghanistan in the coming days."
Responding to a reporter's question if India was in touch with the Taliban, he said: "At this point of time, we are, we are looking at what is the situation, evolving situation, in Kabul. Obviously the Taliban, and its representatives have come to Kabul so I think we need to take it on from there."
He did not react to a reporter's question whether India was concerned that Pakistan-based terrorists could exploit the situation in Afghanistan and the regional concerns over terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan.
Earlier, Jaishankar presided over a meeting of the Security Council on peacekeeping and technology.
The Council adopted for the first time a resolution calling for accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. It was jointly sponsored by all the 15 members of the Council and about 80 countries.
The Council also adopted a presidential statement dealing with utilising technology to assist peacekeepers.
During the Council debate on peacekeeping and technology, India "offered a four-point framework, anchored in utilising modern technology for securing peacekeepersa" and "highlighted the need to deploy proven technologies, information and intelligence systems, adapt to improvements, and to promote training and capability building".
Rahul Gandhi along with other leaders sat with the agitating farmers. He said, "Everybody in the opposition has gathered to extend support against the 'black laws'. We want a discussion over Pegasus, but they (Government) are not allowing the discussion, Narendra Modi has intercepted every Indian's phone with the spyware."
Sukhbir Badal said that it is a great honour that 10 players from the state were part of the men's hockey team that won the bronze in Tokyo, ending India's 41-year wait for an Olympic hockey medal.
Peace Mission-2021 is an anti-terrorist command and staff exercise of member countries. More than 3,000 soldiers are expected to participate in the drill.
A cache of arms and ammunition, including two pistols, was recovered in a joint operation by Jammu and Kashmir Police and army in the Union Territory's Samba district on Friday, officials said.
"The accused, Anilkumar R. Dubey, 36, has been sent to 14 days judicial custody by the honourable court. The second victim, who was injured, is stable and is out of the ICU at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai,"
