Jaishankar arrived on Monday as the Security Council held an emergency meeting on the situation in Afghanistan

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who arrived here to chair two high-level signature events this week under India's current Security Council Presidency, has said that he expects to discuss the situation in Afghanistan during his engagements at the United Nations.

Jaishankar arrived on Monday as the Security Council held an emergency meeting on the situation in Afghanistan, the second time in just over the 10 days that the powerful UN body met under India's Presidency for the month of August to discuss the rapidly deteriorating and unravelling situation in the war-torn country.

“Significant UN Security Council discussions today on developments in Afghanistan. Expressed the concerns of the international community. Expect to discuss these during my engagements at the UN,” Jaishankar tweeted.

Jaishankar also discussed the "latest developments” in Afghanistan with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and “underlined the urgency of restoring airport operations in Kabul. Deeply appreciate the American efforts under way in this regard.”

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that Blinken spoke with Jaishankar “today about Afghanistan and the developing situation there.”

In a series of tweets, Jaishankar said that he is monitoring the situation in Kabul. “Understand the anxiety of those seeking to return to India. Airport operations are the main challenge. Discussions on with partners in that regard.”

Jaishankar said New Delhi is in constant touch with the Sikh and Hindu community leaders in Kabul. “Their welfare will get our priority attention.”        

As India assumed the Presidency of the 15-nation Council for the month of August, it had outlined maritime security, counter-terrorism and peacekeeping as the focus areas.

Jaishankar will chair an open debate on August 18 on technology and peacekeeping under the overarching theme of ‘Protecting the Protectors'. PTI

Courtesy: The Tribune India: 16th August, 2021