'Transition Of Power In Afghanistan Not Inclusive, Happened Without Negotiation': PM Modi At SCO-CSTO Meet

Asserting India's position on Taliban's swift takeover of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (17 September) said that the transition of power in the war-torn country was not "inclusive" and has been done without "negotiation".

PM Modi made the remarks in his virtual address to a joint meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that was conveyed in Tajikistan's Dushanbe to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

"The recent developments in Afghanistan will have the greatest impact on neighboring countries like us. And, that is why it is necessary to create a regional focus and cooperation on this issue," PM Modi said, according to a Ministry of External Affairs statement.

"The transition of power in Afghanistan is not inclusive, and it has happened without negotiation," he said.

PM Modi also highlighted the lack of representation of all sections of Afghan society, including women and minorities, in the new Taliban government in Afghanistan.

He added that the decision on recognition of new Taliban government should be taken by the global community collectively and after due thought.

"India supports the central role of the United Nations on this issue," he said.

PM Modi noted that if the instability and fundamentalism persist in Afghanistan, it will encourage terrorist and extremist ideologies all over the world.

"Other extremist groups may also be encouraged to come to power through violence," PM Modi said.

He further said that the global community should ensure that the territory of Afghanistan is not used to spread terrorism in any other country.

"SCO member countries should develop strict and agreed norms on this subject," he said, adding that these norms should be based on the principle of zero-tolerance towards terrorism.

He also stressed on the need for a Code of Conduct to prevent activities like cross-border terrorism and terror financing and also having a system for their enforcement.

PM Modi also raised concerns about the the uncontrolled flow of drugs, illegal weapons and human trafficking in Afghanistan and said that the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) mechanism of SCO can play a constructive role in monitoring these flows and enhancing information-sharing.

He also raised the issue of serious humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and called for collective efforts to ensure that the aid from other countries "reaches Afghanistan in an unhindered manner".