UNSC Resolution 2593 & India

Why in news?

United Nations Security Council adopted the UNSC Resolution 2593.

What is UNSC resolution 2593?

• It was put forward by US, UK, and France and adopted after 13 council members voted in favour
• The resolution demands that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten/attack any country or to shelter/ train terrorists or plan/finance terrorist acts
• It specifically mentions individuals and entities designated by UNSC Resolution 1267, i.e., Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)
• The permanent members  Russia and China abstained from voting (not veto), while the rest of the 13 members voted in favour.

The UNSC 1267 Committee (also known as AlQaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee) was established as a result of resolution 1267 in 1999

If an individual/organisation is included in the 1267 list, it helps in restricting their movement, financial penalties and assets freeze among others

What is the significance of the resolution?

• Strong signal from the UNSC and the international community on its expectations in respect of Afghanistan
• Called on the Taliban to keep its commitments on preventing terror groups in Afghanistan
• Urged Taliban to assist the safe evacuations of Afghan nationals wishing to leave the country
• Addressed the concerns of anti- Indian terror outfits like LeT and JeM

Why did Russia and China abstain from voting?

• Demand of inclusion of groups like Islamic State (ISIL) and Uighur East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) in the document
• Non inclusion of freezing Afghan financial assets in the document
• The resolution was  alleged to be unbalanced and forcefully pushed through

What are the recent developments of India’s engagement with Taliban?

• Ministry of External Affairs announced that its Ambassador to Qatar met with the head of the Taliban’s political office
• Discussions were on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan
• Also focused on Afghan nationals, especially minorities
• Demanded that Afghanistan’s soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner
• Taliban leader assured that all the issues would be positively addressed

What would be India’s future course of action?

• Concerns about the Haqqani group, which is a part of the Taliban who attacked the Indian Embassy in 2008-2009
• Being in touch with “various stakeholders” in Afghanistan and meeting with Taliban representatives
•  “Wait and watch” the Taliban’s actions with regard to human rights, treatment of women and minorities, attitude towards terror groups, etc.

Source : The Hindu, Livemint