Situation in Afghanistan of 'great concern', India at UNSC

India has expressed hope that the situation in Afghanistan "stabilises soon" and "there is an inclusive dispensation which represents all sections of Afghan society". Speaking at the United Nations Security Council on Monday, India also said, "Voices of Afghan women, aspirations of Afghan children and the rights of minorities must be respected. A broader representation would help the arrangement gain more acceptability and legitimacy".

India’s ambassador to the UN, TS Tirumurti, noted the situation in Afghanistan had dramatically changed since the last Security Council meeting 10 days ago, and was of “great concern” to New Delhi. Fear has been looming large in the war-torn nation which fell to Taliban as the US forces started leaving the country after 20 years of occupation."We hope that the situation stabilises soon, and the parties concerned address the humanitarian and security issues. We also hope that there is an inclusive dispensation which represents all sections of Afghan society," India said in its address.

However, remarks by the representatives of Russia and China hinted at a greater willingness to engage with the Taliban, who entered Kabul on Sunday after the civilian government collapsed as President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. Russia’s envoy to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, singled out Iran as an important regional player that could work with the “extended troika”, which includes Pakistan.