India abstained from voting on the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the situation in Afghanistan and said that a “business as usual” policy without new and focused efforts is unlikely to produce the kind of results the international community wants for the Afghan people.

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, explained India’s position and said that India is closely watching the security situation in Afghanistan.

He urged the international community to work together to ensure that individuals and groups listed by the United Nations no longer use Afghan territory for terrorist activities.

The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution that calls on Afghanistan to protect human rights, follow international law and take strong action against terrorism as the country faces a worsening humanitarian crisis, an increasing number of returnees and the lasting impact of many years of conflict.

Referring to recent talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the Taliban-appointed Foreign Minister, Harish said, “On the political side, India’s External Affairs Minister had spoken to the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan recently. He stated, New Delhi has welcomed the sharp condemnation by the Afghan side of the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025.” He said that India’s policy towards Afghanistan has always been one of “long-standing friendship and special friendship” with the Afghans. He further said that, being a long-standing ally, India has direct interests in providing peace and stability to Afghanistan.

Harish said that India has been in continuous contact with both regional and international partners to support peace, stability and development in Afghanistan since the United Nations General Assembly last discussed the issue in 2022.

He also highlighted the humanitarian aid that India has continued to provide to Afghanistan.