Effective use of UN sanctions will restrict Afghan violence: India

Voicing concern over "unremitting distress signals" of a worsening security situation in war-torn Afghanistan, India said "effective" implementation of UN sanctions will ensure restrictions on the movements of groups perpetrating violence.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin highlighted the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and called for greater efforts by the international community to support the Afghan government.

"The distress signals are unremitting - a worsening security situation, an increase in the tempo of insurgent activities, a greater toll of civilian casualities, and a deteriorating humanitarian situation," he said. "All point to the need for greater engagement by the international community in support of the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan," he said, addressing the Security Council debate on UN Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA) yesterday.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the UN mission in Afghanistan until March 17, 2017. The resolution said it "looks forward" to the next Ministerial Conference to be held in New Delhi in 2016 and called on Afghanistan and its regional partners to keep up the momentum and continue their efforts to enhance regional dialogue and confidence.

India has in the past underscored that it is the responsibility of the sanctions committee to protect UN nations and its citizens from terror groups and has demanded that sanctions against listed individuals be strictly adhered to and implemented.

Akbaruddin said groups and individuals that perpetrate violence against the people and government of Afghanistan "cannot be allowed to exercise control or wield influence" over any part of Afghanistan's territory, as it would pose serious threats to the gains of the last 15 years.

"The effective implementation of the UNSC's Sanctions regime including the 1267 ISIL/ Al-Qaeda Sanctions regime and the 1988 Taliban Sanctions regime is a tangible measure that will go a long way in imposing restrictions on the listed entities/ individuals' movements, assets and arms embargo," he said.

Terming the expansion of the Taliban's territorial reach as a "disturbing development", Akbaruddin asked the Security Council to look into the security situation and the means to contain it with a "sense of urgency" adding that efforts to incite ethnic violence and conflict are also serious developments.

He voiced India's support to an Afghan government-led reconciliation process that respects the red lines drawn by the people of Afghanistan and the international community, adding that the "groups and individuals to be reconciled must give up violence and abide by the Constitution of Afghanistan."