India (Security Council President) : Security Council Programme of Work for August - (2 August 2021)

Ambassador T. S. Tirumurti, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, and President of the Security Council for the month of August, briefs reporters on the Security Council’s Programme of Work for the month.

Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti of India, who is presiding the Security Council during the month of August, today (2 Aug) called for “all violence” and “ties with international terrorism" to end in Afghanistan as this “will have a direct impact on India.”

Tirumurti said, “a lasting political settlement through an inclusive Afghan led, and Afghan owned, and Afghan controlled process” is required in order “to protect the gains which we’ve had in the last nearly 20 years.”

He Indian Ambassador said, “any government that comes to power in Afghanistan to be seen as legitimate in the eyes of the people. So, consequently we cannot have unilateral imposition of will by any party, and peaceful negotiations should be taken seriously by all the parties. And the dialogue, which they are having there is a need for that to be accelerated.”

Last week, so-called “anti-Government elements” targeted entrances of the clearly marked UN facility in Herat with rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire just hours after Taliban fighters penetrated Herat city and clashed with Afghan security forces near UNAMA’s provincial headquarters.

Turning to Pakistan, Tirumurti said issues related to Jammu and Kashmir “should be resolved in an atmosphere which is free of terror, hostility, and violence. And therefore, right now, the onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible and verifiable action not to allow any territory under their control to be used for cross border terrorism against India.”

On 5 August 2019, the Government unilaterally revoked Jammu and Kashmir special status and in May 2020, passed the so-called Domicile Rules, which removes protections for those in the territory.

The Ambassador announced that on August 9th, the Council will hold a high-level session on Maritime Security, presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said, “we feel that it is time that the various dimensions of maritime security and crime are discussed in a holistic manner and addressed through international cooperation. Issues such as piracy, use of sea to conduct crimes, illicit trafficking in narcotic and psychotropic substances, trafficking in persons, and illicit firearms, and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, IUUs, have implications for the livelihood and security of coastal communities, international trade, energy security, and the global economy.”

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