Afghanistan is passing through a critical phase- Jaishankar

External Affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar, while addressing the United Nations High-Level meeting on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan, on Monday, said that India is monitoring the developments in Afghanistan with "understandable" concern. Afghanistan is passing through a critical and challenging phase. There's been a sea change in its political, economic, social and security situation & consequently, in its humanitarian needs,” he said.

Jaishankar said that as an immediate neighbour, India is monitoring developments with understandable concern. The UNDP recently assessed that there is an imminent threat of poverty levels rising from 72 per cent to 97 per cent. This would have catastrophic consequences for regional stability. Guided by historical ties, India was willing to stand by the Afghan people in their hour of crisis, as it had done in the past, the external minister further said. He also called on the global community to help create the best possible enabling environment in the country.

During his address, the External Affairs Minister also stressed the importance of safe passage for those Afghans who are looking to travel abroad with valid documents. "Those who wish to travel in and out of Afghanistan should be granted such facilities without obstruction," said Jaishankar. Jaishankar further appealed to the international community to come together and create the best possible environment to enable humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the friendship between the two countries is "reflected in Indian development projects in all 34 provinces" in Afghanistan.