Modi at G20 calls for int'l response to check radical ideology spreading from Afghanistan

The Prime Minister 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.

New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday 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.

In his speech at the G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan, PM Modi said, "over the last two decades, India has contributed to promoting socio-economic development and capacity building of youth and women in Afghanistan."

He recalled that over 500 development projects have been implemented by India in Afghanistan, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

To preserve the socio-economic gains of the last 20 years and to restrict the spread of radical ideology, the Prime Minister called for an inclusive administration in Afghanistan, which includes women and minorities.

He conveyed support for the important role of the United Nations in Afghanistan and called for renewed support of the G20 for the message contained in UN Security Council Resolution 2593 on Afghanistan.

According to the MEA, the Prime Minister 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 meeting was convened by Italy, which currently holds the G20 Presidency, and chaired by Italian Prime Minister Mr Mario Draghi.

Issues under consideration at the meeting related to the humanitarian situation; concerns relating to terrorism; and human rights in Afghanistan.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister welcomed the initiative of the Italian G20 Presidency in convening the meeting to take stock of the current situation in Afghanistan.

He emphasized the centuries-old people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan. The Prime Minister further noted that the Afghan people have a great feeling of friendship with India.

He conveyed that every Indian feels the pain of Afghan people facing hunger and malnutrition, thereby, emphasising the need for the international community to ensure that Afghanistan has immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.

PM Modi also underlined the need to ensure that Afghan territory does not become a source of radicalization and terrorism, regionally or globally.

He stressed the need to enhance the joint fight against the nexus of radicalization, terrorism and the smuggling of drugs and arms in the region.

The meeting was attended by world leaders and saw an intense discussion on the situation in Afghanistan.