India accused Pakistan at the UN Security Council of using Afghan transit access as political leverage, sharply criticizing Islamabad over trade restrictions affecting Afghan businesses and military strikes that India said caused civilian suffering.
Speaking at the Security Council, India’s Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said Pakistan’s denial of transit access to Afghan traders amounted to “trade and transit terrorism.” He said the restrictions exploited Afghanistan’s position as a landlocked country and placed additional pressure on Afghan businesses.
India criticizes Afghan transit access restrictions
Harish said Pakistan’s closure of access for Afghanistan violated United Nations declarations on landlocked developing countries and weaponized the country’s trade and transit vulnerabilities.
He said India was issuing hundreds of gratis long-term business visas to support Afghan traders affected by the restrictions. Harish also urged the international community to condemn what he described as violations of WTO norms, the UN Charter and international law.
Civilian casualties from Pakistan strikes raised at UNSC
India also criticized Pakistan’s military actions in Afghanistan. Harish cited UNAMA figures reporting 372 civilians killed and 397 injured in Pakistani strikes.
He said airstrikes that kill, maim or orphan civilians cannot be justified as counterterrorism operations. India argued that presenting such attacks as military actions does not remove responsibility for civilian deaths and injuries.
India links terrorism concerns to regional stability
Harish rejected what he called Pakistan’s pattern of blaming neighboring countries for its internal failures. He also criticized officially sponsored disinformation, including the use of labels such as “Fitna al Hindustan.”
India said it remains firm in opposing terrorism in all forms and referred to groups including Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and The Resistance Front. Harish also called for coordinated global action against ISIL, Al Qaida and affiliated groups.
India highlights aid to Afghanistan
India contrasted its criticism of Pakistan with its humanitarian and development assistance to Afghanistan. Harish said India has provided more than 50,000 tonnes of wheat, 420 tonnes of medicines and vaccines, and support after earthquakes.
He also cited India’s efforts to treat Afghan children with congenital heart conditions, upgrade hospitals and provide scholarships to nearly 3,000 Afghan students since 2023, including 1,000 women.
Harish said Afghan cricketers’ participation in the Indian Premier League and India’s hosting of a bilateral cricket series showed how sports could support national morale.
The remarks highlight India’s effort to frame Afghan trade access, civilian protection and counterterrorism as linked issues at the UN Security Council, while positioning New Delhi as a humanitarian and development partner for Afghanistan.
