India came to the defence of Afghanistan and the UN from attacks by Pakistan and condemned Islamabad’s “unconscionable” violence against its neighbour.
“Pakistan in its statement earlier today questioned the intent of UNAMA (UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) and the veracity of UNSG’s (Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’) report”, India’s Permanent Representative P Harish said on Monday at the Security Council.
“We would like to stress that support for multilateralism and the United Nations is not an ala carte menu”, he said at a discussion on the situation in Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan’s air strikes on Afghanistan during the holy month of Ramadan, while “espousing high principles of international law and Islamic solidarity”, is the “perfect example of hypocrisy”.
"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”, he said.
“We support the Secretary General’s call urging compliance with obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and ensuring protection of civilians”, he said.
“We also support UNAMA’s earlier calls for investigation to ensure accountability, prevent recurrence and uphold victims’ rights. for investigation to ensure accountability, prevent recurrence and uphold victims’ rights,” he added.
The secretary-general's report recorded that 372 Afghans were killed and 392 injured between January 26 and March 31, and most civilian casualties were from air strikes, with some from cross-border firing.
One of the air strikes was against the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Hospital in Kabul on March 16, which killed at least 269 people and injured 122, mostly patients, the report said.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmed alleged the secretary-general's report externalised responsibility for Afghanistan, while there were “serious questions on the credibility of UNAMA's reporting from Afghanistan and the nature of their engagement with the Taliban”.
He made out the Pakistan attacks to be counter-terrorism action.
Harish said, “Dressing up a massacre as a military operation does not absolve the perpetrator”.
“Killing, maiming and orphaning civilians is not counter terrorism”, he declared.
Harish added, “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”.
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