Afghanistan should not be allowed to become source of terrorism regionally & globally: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, in a clear message for Taliban and Pakistan, underlined the need to ensure that the Afghan territory does not become a source of radicalisation and terrorism, regionally or globally.

Modi, who participated virtually in the G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan, emphasised the need to enhance the joint fight against the nexus of radicalisation, terrorism and the smuggling of drugs and arms in the region. Several countries in Eurasia have similar concerns.

To preserve the socio-economic gains of the past 20 years and to restrict the spread of radical ideology, the prime minister called for an inclusive administration in Afghanistan, which includes women and minorities, according to an official statement. He conveyed support for the important role of the United Nations in Afghanistan and called for renewed support of the G20 for the message contained in UN Security Council Resolution 2593 on Afghanistan. ET had reported that Modi, during the G20 extraordinary summit, will underline the significance of the UN Security Council Resolution 2593 that was adopted under India’s UNSC presidency in August.


The meeting was convened by Italy, which currently holds the G20 Presidency, and chaired by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. Issues under consideration at the meeting related to the humanitarian situation, concerns relating to terrorism and human rights in Afghanistan, officials said.

In his remarks, the Indian Prime Minister also welcomed the initiative of the Italian G20 Presidency in convening the meeting to take stock of the current situation in Afghanistan. He emphasised the centuries-old people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan.

He mentioned that over the last two decades, India has contributed to promoting socio-economic development and capacity building of youth and women in Afghanistan. He recalled that over 500 development projects have been implemented by India in Afghanistan.

Modi noted that Afghan people have a great feeling of friendship for India. He conveyed that every Indian feels the pain of the Afghan people facing hunger and malnutrition and emphasised the need for the international community to ensure that Afghanistan has immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.

He called upon the international community to forge a unified international response without which it would be difficult to bring about the desired change in Afghanistan’s situation, according to an official statement.