PM participates in G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had participated virtually in the G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan on 12^th October 2021.

The Prime Minister of India welcomed the initiative of the Italian G20 Presidency in convening the meeting of the current situation in Afghanistan.

The G20 Extraordinary Summit on Afghanistan was convened by which country?

 Italy

Which country currently holds the G20 Presidency?

 Italy

Who chaired the G20 Presidency meeting?

Italian Prime Minister Mr. Mario Draghi

What were the issues that were discussed at the meeting?

• Issues related to the humanitarian situation;
• Concerns relating to terrorism; and
• Human rights in Afghanistan.

India-Afghanistan Relationship

There are century’s old people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan. The Prime Minister of India noted that the Afghan people have a good feeling of friendship with India.

Developmental activities of India in Afghanistan

1. The Prime Minister of India had mentioned that for over the past two decades, India has been contributing to the socio-economic development and capacity-building of women and youth of Afghanistan.
2. Around 500 development projects had been implemented by the government of India in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister of India appeals for the International community

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that: every Indian feels the pain of the Afghan people and their hunger and malnutrition situation. He emphasized the need of the international community to provide Afghanistan with immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.

PM also supported the important role of the United Nations in Afghanistan. He called for the renewed support of the G20 for the message contained in UN Security Council Resolution 2593 on Afghanistan.

India on terrorism in Afghanistan

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasized the need to ensure that the Afghan territory does not become a breeding ground for radicalization and terrorism, either regionally or globally.
• He called for an inclusive administration in Afghanistan, which includes minorities and women, to preserve the socio-economic gains of the last 20 years and to restrict the spread of radical ideology.
• He urged the international community to forge a unified international response concerning Afghanistan. He believed that with a united effort, we would be able to bring about the much-desired changes in the political and socio-economic situations in Afghanistan.
• He also emphasized the need to enhance our joint fight against the nexus of terrorism, radicalization, and the smuggling of arms and drugs in the region.

Important points:

• Anti-Terrorism Day is observed on May 21 in India every year.
• The Arms Act, 1959 is an act of the Parliament of India to amend the law relating to arms and ammunition to curb illegal weapons and violence stemming from them.