On July 8, 2025, India abstained from voting on the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, which passed with 116 votes in favor, two against (the United States and Israel), and 12 abstentions. The resolution urged Afghanistan to respect human rights, follow international law, and take urgent action against terrorism in the face of a deteriorating humanitarian catastrophe and the long-term consequences of decades of conflict.
Parvathaneni Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, explained the country’s abstention, emphasizing that a “business as usual” approach, without fresh and targeted measures, is unlikely to provide the outcomes that the international community intends for Afghanistan.
India voiced worry that the resolution did not include new policy tools to address Afghanistan’s deteriorating humanitarian catastrophe since August 2021, and noted that punitive measures alone are unlikely to succeed. Instead, India called for a combination of incentives and disincentives to promote positive behavior while discouraging negative behavior.
India’s statement emphasized the urgent need for the international community to prevent terrorist organizations from exploiting Afghan land. India has specifically called for coordinated global efforts to prevent entities and individuals designated by the UN Security Council, such as Al Qaeda, ISIL, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), as well as their regional sponsors, from using Afghanistan as a base for terrorist activities. This policy was reinforced in light of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terrorist assault, which was publicly condemned by Afghan authorities and attributed to terrorists operating out of Pakistan.
India also highlighted its continuous diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan, citing recent discussions between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Taliban-appointed Acting Foreign Minister, as well as visits with the Foreign Secretary. Despite not recognizing the Taliban government, India continues to engage in bilateral and regional discussions, particularly on security and humanitarian problems.
India’s approach to Afghanistan is influenced by its historical and cultural ties, as well as its direct interest in the country’s peace and stability as a neighbor. Since August 2021, India has delivered significant humanitarian aid, including 50,000 metric tons of wheat, over 330 metric tons of medicines and vaccinations, 40,000 litres of insecticide, and 58.6 metric tons of other necessities.
Furthermore, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), India has provided funding for drug rehabilitation programs, particularly those aimed at women. India has also continued to grant scholarships and fellowships to Afghan students, awarding 2,000 scholarships since 2023, including almost 600 for females and women.
Finally, India emphasized its long-standing commitment to the humanitarian and developmental needs of the Afghan people, as well as its support for international efforts to create a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan. India, on the other hand, abstained from the resolution, citing a lack of creative policy initiatives as well as the need for a more balanced and nuanced strategy that goes beyond punitive sanctions to address the ground realities in Afghanistan.
