External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, on Monday, expressed concern over the rising poverty levels in Afghanistan and said that as an immediate neighbour, India is monitoring the developments in Afghanistan with an ‘understandable concern’. Addressing a UN High-Level Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan, Jaishankar warned that the rising poverty levels in Afghanistan could have ‘catastrophic consequences for global stability’.

“Afghanistan is passing through a critical and challenging phase. There’s been a sea change in its political, economic, social and security situation and consequently, in its humanitarian needs… UNDP recently assessed that there is an imminent threat of poverty levels rising from 72 per cent to 97 per cent there. This would have catastrophic consequences for global stability,” Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar added that India’s approach to Afghanistan has been guided by the historical friendship it shares with the Afghan people and assured that in face of a grave emergency situation, India is willing to stand by Afghan people, as in the past.

Jaishankar pushes for normalisation of operations at Kabul Airport

The EAM underlined the importance of resumption of commercial flights from Kabul Airport and said that normalisation was important for a regular flow of relief material. He also added that such access to Afghanistan would help accelerate the domestic relief measures.

“It’s important that issue of travel and safe passage that can emerge as an obstacle to humanitarian assistance be immediately sorted out. Those who wish to travel in and out of Afghanistan should be granted such facilities without obstruction,” Jaishankar said. On August 15, the Taliban captured the Afghanistan capital of Kabul and declared that they were in complete control of the country. The world community with the exception of China is silent on recognising the Taliban government in Afghanistan.