India has strongly criticised Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan, describing them as a clear breach of international law and a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. Speaking at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, said the attacks contradicted global legal norms and undermined the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. He stressed that it was contradictory to speak of Islamic unity while carrying out military strikes during the holy month of Ramadan that resulted in civilian casualties.
Parvathaneni reiterated India’s support for the appeal made by António Guterres for all sides to adhere to international law, including international humanitarian law, and to ensure civilian protection. Citing data from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, he noted that 185 civilians had been killed in the strikes as of March 6, with women and children accounting for more than half of the victims. The violence also forced over 100,000 people to flee their homes. He said the UN Secretary-General’s report had expressed deep concern over civilian harm caused by cross-border hostilities.
India also raised concerns about what it described as the weaponisation of trade and transit routes affecting landlocked countries. Parvathaneni criticised restrictions that block commercial access to Afghanistan, saying such actions contradict global commitments toward landlocked developing countries and violate norms of the World Trade Organization as well as international law. He reaffirmed India’s support for Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence while condemning actions that increase its economic vulnerability.
On the issue of terrorism, India warned that extremist groups continue to threaten global security and called for coordinated international efforts to eliminate networks linked to Islamic State and Al-Qaeda. Parvathaneni also referred to Pakistan-based outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, along with their proxy The Resistance Front, stating that groups facilitating cross-border terrorism must be dismantled.
India later exercised its Right of Reply to respond to remarks made by Pakistan during the Council session. Parvathaneni dismissed Pakistan’s criticism as repetitive and unproductive, saying India’s development and humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan are widely recognised. He added that Pakistan should address its own internal challenges instead of shifting blame.
Highlighting India’s engagement with Afghanistan, he said New Delhi continues to prioritise humanitarian relief and capacity-building initiatives. India has implemented more than 500 development projects across all 34 Afghan provinces, focusing on healthcare, infrastructure and skill development. Cooperation with UN agencies and organisations such as the Afghanistan Red Crescent Society has supported work in food security, medical aid, education and sports.
Over the past three months, India has supplied more than one million vaccine doses for children and 9.5 tonnes of anti-cancer medicines, with plans to deliver an additional 17 million vaccine doses to strengthen Afghanistan’s immunisation programme. In the last four and a half years, India has also provided 50,000 tonnes of wheat, 380 tonnes of medicines and vaccines, and 40,000 litres of pesticides. Following recent earthquakes, India delivered 60 tonnes of food supplies, 42 tonnes of relief material and 73 tonnes of essential medicines.
Working with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, India has additionally supplied 68 tonnes of medical materials and 32 tonnes of social support items to aid rehabilitation efforts for drug-affected populations. Concluding his remarks on a positive note, Parvathaneni pointed to the rising popularity of cricket among Afghan youth and praised the national team’s spirited performance at the recent ICC Cricket World Cup, saying their achievements have brought hope and pride to the Afghan people during difficult times.
