India ask UN for strong measures to fight Al-Qaeda, Taliban

United Nations, Oct 15 (PTI) India has strongly advocated
implementing robust measures within Afghanistan to fight the
"barbarity" of resurgent Al-Qaeda and Taliban elements while expanding "coordinated politico-military efforts" beyond the
country.

"We need to go much further in realising the well established objective of degrading the ability of the Taliban to fight while simultaneously denying safe-havens, finances and armament," Indian Ambassador to U.N. Nirupam Sen told the Security Council Tuesday.

Intervening in the debate on the situation in
Afghanistan, Sen proposed a three-pronged strategy to bring
stability to Afghanistan – robust fight against terrorists,
sustained international assistance for development and
regional cooperation.

Criticising U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's report,
which was the basis for discussion, for referring to
anti-government and pro-government forces while discussing
civilian casualties caused in the conflict, Sen warned against
granting parity to terrorists and the forces trying to bring
about order in the country.

"The escalating civilian death toll is truly distressing,
but the ultimate responsibility for such casualties must be
laid at the door of the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and those who
support and empower them," he told the 15-member Council.

The escalation in asymmetric attacks to include areas
that were cleared of the Taliban and the Al-Qaeda is a deeply
worrying sign, Sen said, adding that civilians, humanitarian
workers, U.N. convoys and diplomatic representations—
including Indian Mission in Kabul— have been attacked "clearly
underlines the barbarity of the foe that we face."

Sen stressed on the need for the international community
to provide not just the resources but also political momentum
to turn back "negative trends and accelerate progress in those
areas where we have achieved success."

In the particular context of the U.N., he said it is now
essential that the international community backs United
Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (U.N.A.M.A.) by
ensuring it adequate resources.

"We also echo the call made by several speakers for
greater efforts to address the worsening humanitarian
situation, in particular, the food crisis," he said.

Sen told the Council that India supports the increasing
streamlining of assistance through the Afghan national Budget.

"Sustainable progress depends on our ability to mentor
capacity building in all sectors of governance, including the
Budgetary process as much as other mechanisms of government,"
he said.

"Capacity-building is a priority element in each of
India's assistance projects in Afghanistan and in this context
I would like to add that India has recently announced an
increase in its commitment to Afghanistan, which will now
amount to USD 1.2 billion. We are also pleased to have
completed the Zaranj-Delaram highway, which is one of three
major infrastructure projects India is undertaking in
Afghanistan," he added.

Afghanistan's entry into the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation, and its membership in other regional
groups such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are aimed
at revitalizing Afghanistan's "historic linkages with the
countries of its region," he said.

"We must therefore accept that progress will continue to
take place sectorally, partially and sometimes even
episodically.