India Defends UN, Afghanistan After Pakistan Criticism at Security Council
United Nations — India defended Afghanistan and the United Nations at the Security Council after Pakistan questioned the work of the U.N. mission in Afghanistan and the secretary-general’s report on the country.
India’s Permanent Representative to the U.N., P. Harish, said Pakistan had questioned the intent of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the accuracy of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ report during a Security Council discussion on Afghanistan.
“We would like to stress that support for multilateralism and the United Nations is not an ala carte menu,” Harish said Monday.
He criticized Pakistan over airstrikes in Afghanistan during the holy month of Ramadan, calling them a “perfect example of hypocrisy” while Islamabad was “espousing high principles of international law and Islamic solidarity.”
“We reiterate the Secretary-General’s deep concern at civilian casualties caused by airstrikes, cross-border firing and targeted killings as detailed in UNAMA reports,” Harish said.
He said India supports the secretary-general’s call for compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law, and for the protection of civilians. He also backed UNAMA’s calls for investigations to ensure accountability, prevent recurrence and uphold victims’ rights.
The secretary-general’s report said 372 Afghans were killed and 392 injured between Jan. 26 and March 31, with most civilian casualties caused by airstrikes and some by cross-border firing.
One airstrike targeted the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Hospital in Kabul on March 16, killing at least 269 people and injuring 122, mostly patients, according to the report.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmed alleged that the secretary-general’s report shifted responsibility for Afghanistan’s problems outward. He also raised “serious questions on the credibility of UNAMA’s reporting from Afghanistan and the nature of their engagement with the Taliban.”
Ahmed portrayed Pakistan’s actions as counterterrorism measures.
Harish rejected that argument, saying, “Dressing up a massacre as a military operation does not absolve the perpetrator.”
“Killing, maiming and orphaning civilians is not counter terrorism,” he said.
Harish also emphasized India’s support for UNAMA and its mandate.
“India would like to emphasise the importance of UNAMA and its mandate and underline our full support to UNAMA in these challenging times as it endeavours to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he said. (Source: IANS)
