United Nations: The change in authority in Kabul was neither through negotiations nor inclusive, said Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Tuesday. He was speaking at the UNSC high-level open debate on ‘Peacebuilding and sustaining peace: Diversity, state-building and the search for peace'.

He highlighted that India has consistently called for a broad, inclusive process that involves the representation of all sections of Afghans.

The Taliban was removed from power by the US shortly after the 9/11 attacks. It seized back control of Afghanistan in mid-August this year, ousting the elected government that was backed by the West.

Taliban's Empty Promises

The Taliban had promised an inclusive government that represents Afghanistan's complex ethnic makeup. However, the interim Cabinet announced by the insurgent group last month was dominated by established Taliban leaders who have fought against the US-led coalition forces since 2001. No woman has been named in the interim Cabinet.

"The change in authority in Kabul was neither through negotiations nor inclusive. We have consistently called for a broad-based, inclusive process that involves representation of all sections of Afghans," Muraleedharan said.

As American forces withdrew from war-torn Afghanistan, the Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15.

'UNSC Resolution Must Be Adhered To'

Muraleedharan said, "The expectations of the international community on Afghanistan, including on combating terrorism, are set out clearly in UNSC Resolution 2593. It is important that commitments made in this regard are respected and adhered to."

The resolution had noted the Taliban statement of August 27 in which the outfit had committed that Afghans will be able to travel abroad, may leave Afghanistan anytime they want to, and may exit Afghanistan via any border crossing, both air and ground, including at the reopened and secured Kabul airport, with no one preventing them from travelling.

'India At Has Played Constructive Role In Peacebuilding'

Muraleedharan added: "India has always played a constructive and significant role in the context of peacebuilding through its extensive development partnership with developing countries, particularly in Africa and Asia and with LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. India has and continues to assist countries bilaterally in post-conflict situations by providing substantial grants and soft loans.

He highlighted India's focus on infrastructure, especially housing, education and health, on connectivity, on providing livelihood to those impacted by conflict, especially in agriculture, and on projects at the grassroots level, which directly impact the lives of people, "India also provides extensive education training and capacity building, including vocational training and in IT focusing particularly on the youth," he said

"Even the developed world, at some points in history, faced these challenges, including through extremely violent transitions, before eventually emerging successfully,” he added

He assured the global community that India will continue to be a pillar of strength for all developing countries in their transition to development, progress and prosperity.