The latest: The Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev said that the situation in Afghanistan not only remains tense, but it is also beginning to look like a protracted crisis. He was speaking at a meeting with his counterparts from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in New Delhi.
Go deeper:
- “It is important to watch the situation in Afghanistan closely as it remains tense and is taking on a protracted nature a year and a half after the Taliban came to power,” he said.
- According to the Russian security chief, Afghanistan is posing major threats and risks to the security of SCO member countries. These include terrorism, illegal arms and drug trafficking, illegal migration and the spread of extremist ideology, he warned.
- “We believe that Washington and its allies who are responsible for the critical situation in the country after the withdrawal of the occupation forces should bear the bulk of the cost of restoring the Afghan economy in the wake of the conflict,” Patrushev maintained.
- “We consider the return of any US or NATO military infrastructure facilities to the region, including to Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries, in any form and on any pretext categorically inadmissible,” he added.
- In fact, even Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said that “any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation, is unjustifiable”.
- Doval emphasized that terrorism is a major threat to the SCO region and should be taken seriously in all its forms and manifestations.
- Doval stated that the recent development in the world security environment has created a number of difficulties that also affect the SCO region. The situation in Afghanistan was one of the focal points of the meeting in this regard.
- “The global security landscape is faced with several challenges due to development in recent years. The SCO region is also affected by the impact of these challenges. The charter calls upon the member states to have mutual respect for sovereignty, and territorial integrity of states.”
- “All countries should fulfil their obligations under counter-terrorism cooperation protocols, including UN Security Council resolutions 1267 and 1373 and successor resolutions, for the purpose of identifying and implementing sanctions against global terrorist entities,” he said.
- Notably, the SCO consists of eight member countries — China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan — with several others engaging as observers or dialogue partners. This year, Iran will join the SCO as the ninth member country under the presidency of India.
Zoom out: This comes even as in response to the recent suicide attack in Kabul, members of the UN Security Council in a joint statement said that terrorism is the most serious threat to peace and security in Afghanistan and the world.
- The attack took place near the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry in Kabul on Monday, killing six people and wounding a number of others, according to figures released. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.
- Security council members called the attack heinous and strongly condemned the attack. They reiterated that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is one of the most serious threats to peace and security in Afghanistan as well as in the world. Members of the Security Council have stressed the need for perpetrators, organizers, funders and supporters of these “terrorist” acts to be brought to justice.
- They called on all countries to actively cooperate in accordance with their obligations under international law and the relevant security council regulations. They have stressed that any act of terrorism, regardless of its motive, is criminal and unjustifiable anywhere, anytime and by anyone who has committed it.
- Daesh is the main rival of the current Taliban authorities and aims to target Taliban officials, civilians and foreign nationals. The attack followed the remarks of the acting Foreign Minister of the Taliban, Muttaqi claiming that Daesh has not present in the country.
