PM Modi participates in G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan

In his virtual address to a G20 extraordinary summit on Afghanistan, Modi emphasised the need to ensure that Afghan soil doesn’t become a source of terrorism. He also called for an inclusive administration in Kabul to preserve the socioeconomic gains of the past two decades.

Key Highlights

• Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi hosted the special summit of the Group of 20 major economies amid growing concerns about the excesses of the Taliban setup in Kabul, and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, including shortages of food, medicines and other essential goods.

• Since the Taliban took over after the fall of the Ashraf Ghani government on August 15, Afghanistan’s economy has been under severe stress. A team led by acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has been holding talks with US officials and European Union (EU) envoys in Qatar as part of the Taliban’s stepped up efforts to gain international recognition.

• Modi called on the international community to “forge a unified international response without which it would be difficult to bring about the desired change in Afghanistan’s situation”, the external affairs ministry said.

• Modi also called for an “inclusive administration in Afghanistan, which includes women and minorities”, to preserve the socioeconomic gains of the past 20 years and to restrict the spread of radical ideology.
• The Prime Minister backed the UN’s important role in Afghanistan and sought renewed support from the G20 group for UN Security Council resolution 2593.

SOURCE: Hindustan Times

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