UNSC: Jaishankar details India's approach to Afghan crisis, focus on 'ensuring security'

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday addressed  United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York where he detailed India's approach to Afghanistan crisis.

Addressing media after session, S Jaishankar responded to a question on how India will deal with Taliban saying that country's focus was to ensure safe return of Indian nationals from war-torn nation. He also asserted historical relationship between Afghans and Indians would continue to remain as it was, and would guide India's approach towards Afghanistan in coming future. 

On being asked if India had any communication with Taliban in recent days S Jaishankar said, "At moment, we are, like everybody else, very carefully following developments in Afghanistan. Our focus is on ensuring security in Afghanistan and safe return of Indian nationals. At this point of time, we're looking at what is situation in Kabul. Obviously, Taliban & its representatives have come to Kabul. So we need to take it on from re."

With respect to India's investment in Afghanistan EAM said, "For us, it (Indian investment in Afghanistan) reflected what was our historical relationship with Afghan people. That relationship with Afghan people obviously continues. That will guide our approach to Afghanistan in coming days."

India raises Afghan crisis in UNSC

Ambassador TS Tirumurti had raised Afghan crisis at  UN Security Council meeting on Monday where he called upon parties concerned to maintain law and order and ensure safety and security of all concerned.

He said, "A great humanitarian crisis is unfolding. voices of Afghan women, aspirations of Afghan children, rights of mirities must be respected. We have seen very unfortunate scenes at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul that show widespread panic among people. Women and children are in distress. Incidents of firing have been reported from city including airport."

Indian Ambassador had stressed on 'zero-tolerance for terrorism' in all its forms and manifestations and had asked for parties concerned to ensure that Afghanistan territory is t used by terrorist groups to threaten or attack any or country. 

EAM Jaishankar had also raised terrorism and peacekeeping at UNSC open debate on Wednesday and had urged for need to strengn capabilities to secure UN peacekeeping missions that were operating in settings involving terrorists, armed groups and n-state actors. 

15-member UN body is currently under India's Presidency for month of August. India is one of largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions and has contributed more than 2,50,000 troops in 49 missions over years.