General Assembly Security Council

STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR ASOKE KUMAR MEKERJI, PERMAMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE UNSC DEBATE ON \'UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANCE MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN\' ON MARCH 17, 2014

Madam President,

1. At the outset, let me thank you for organizing today\'s debate on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). We thank the SRSG Jan Kubis and Ambassador Tanin for their briefings.

Madame President,

2. Let me begin by paying tribute to former First Vice President of Afghanistan, Marshal Fahim who passed away on 9 March. His contribution in fighting the forces of terrorism and extremism, and his contribution to the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan will always be remembered. Marshal Fahim was also a close friend of India and made personal contributions to nurturing and strengthening the India Afghanistan strategic partnership. The Vice President of India led the Indian delegation to the funeral.

3. I would also like to pay tribute to the four members of the UN family who lost their lives on 17 January in the ghastly attack in a restaurant in Kabul. We condemn this barbaric act which has been perpetrated by the Taliban. On 13 March 2014 a suicide bomber whose target was the Indian Consulate in Kandahar was killed by Afghan security forces just outside the Indian Consulate preventing a major terrorist act.

4. The Presidential election which is scheduled for 5 April 2014 is the most important forthcoming event in the political transition of Afghanistan. We should look for an election process that has credibility with the Afghan people, and culminates in the choice of an Afghan President who is acceptable to all Afghans. We note that numerous election rallies and meetings are being organized across Afghanistan, and we applaud the Afghan people\'s confidence and desire to participate in free and fair elections.

5. On the security situation, we note with distress the mention in UNSG\'s report that provinces in the east and south Afghanistan faced intensified attacks from an array of groups, including from Tehrik-e-Taliban, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, and Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, in addition to the Afghan Taliban. Our assessment is that intimidation in the Southern and Eastern parts of the country is a threat to smooth elections.

6. We want to impress upon the fact that the main threat to Afghanistan\'s security and stability is terrorism which emanates from beyond Afghanistan\'s borders. It is this terrorism that promotes terrorist activities against Afghan interests, as well as friends of Afghanistan like India. It is unfortunate that those terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens and the financial and tactical support structures for terrorism are still active.It is necessary to demystify the notion that the problem in Afghanistan is one of rivalry between various ethnic or tribal groups. The real problem that Afghanistan continues to face is terrorism, which seeks to erode the efforts of Afghanistan and its friends to reconstruct the socio-economic fabric of the country. We need to look at sources of insecurity and violence in Afghanistan. We stand firmly with Afghanistan in confronting the threat and challenge posed by terrorism.

7. On the reconciliation process, we believe that this process must remain Afghan led, Afghan owned and Afghan controlled while respecting the agreed red lines. We do not endorse any effort to treat the government of Afghanistan on par with the Taliban.

8. We have always maintained that success of economic transition in Afghanistan is as crucial as the success of political and security transitions.

9. It is the view of my delegation that the mandate of UNAMA should be to supporting the political institutions of Afghanistan besides mobilising international focus on reconstruction of Afghanistan.

10. We believe that UNAMA should also harness its strength in the humanitarian and developmental work where their ability to reach the remotest corner of Afghanistan is well proven. UNAMA should concentrate on capacity building and here we would like to assure the fullest cooperation of my country.

11. We note the important references in the Resolution adopted today by the Council on UNAMA to the major processes that underpin the attempt by the international community to support Afghanistan. At the regional level, we would like to draw the attention of the Council to the Senior Officials\' meeting under the Istanbul Process held in New Delhi on 17 January 2014 and the visit of the External Affairs Minister of India to Kandahar on February 15, 2014 to inaugurate with President Karzai the Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University.

12. These recent events are part of India\'s long-established policy and commitment to assisting the people and Government of Afghanistan as they build a peaceful, pluralistic, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan is undiluted. India does not have the luxury of an ‘Exit Strategy’ in Afghanistan, which shares a civilizational linkage with India.

13. We do not share the negativity and pessimism portrayed about future of Afghanistan.Afghanistan is going through political, security and economic transitions at the same time. The uncertainties associated with the transitions pose real challenges. The progress that has been achieved by the people and Government of Afghanistan in last twelve years on the socio-politico-economic spheres has taught us that with sustained support from international community, Afghanistan can successfully overcome these challenges.

14. In conclusion, we would like to reiterate that at this critical juncture of transition and transformation, we want to express our full support to the political, social and economic transition taking place in Afghanistan. We would like to convey our best wishes to the people of Afghanistan for the upcoming electoral process and would like to assure them of sincere support of the Government and people of India.

I thank you, Madame President.