External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on April 15 for a “wide-ranging talk” in which they discussed the global implications of the Ukraine war, as well as the situations in Afghanistan and Myanmar. Following his visit to Washington, Mr. Jaishankar arrived at the United Nations on April 13 evening.
“An in-depth conversation with UNSG @antonioguterres. The implications of the Ukraine crisis on the global economy, particularly food and energy security, were discussed. Mr. Jaishankar wrote on Twitter that the implications for developing countries are “severe.”
“Recent developments in Afghanistan and Myanmar were discussed. “I appreciate his desire to collaborate with India on key current concerns,” he remarked.
The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, just two weeks before the United States completed its two-decade war in Afghanistan on August 31. As a result, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who was supported by the US-led West, was compelled to depart the nation to the United Arab Emirates.
As Afghan security personnel trained and equipped by the US and its allies dwindled away, Taliban terrorists rushed throughout Afghanistan and took all major cities in a couple of days.
Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh in Washington
Mr. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were in Washington for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, respectively.
On Monday, India and the United States urged the Taliban leadership to follow the UN Security Council resolution, which states that Afghanistan’s territory must never be used to threaten or attack another country or to organize or finance terrorist operations again.
The two nations’ ministers encouraged the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans, particularly women, children, and members of minority groups, in a joint statement made following the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on April 11.
The joint statement also urged for the immediate implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus, as well as the halt of violence in Myanmar, the release of all those arbitrarily incarcerated, and a quick return to the path of democracy and inclusive governance.