During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) meeting of foreign ministers held in India on Friday, the foreign ministers of India, Russia, and Pakistan jointly called for the establishment of a representative government in Afghanistan, as well as the protection of women’s rights, nearly two years after the Taliban seized control of the country.
Reuters quoted the Indian Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar who chaired the meeting, saying “The unfolding situation in Afghanistan remains at the centre of our attention. Our efforts should be directed towards the welfare of the Afghan people,”
“Our immediate priorities include providing humanitarian assistance, ensuring a truly inclusive and representative government, combating terrorism and drug trafficking, and preserving the rights of women, children, and minorities,” he added.
Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov said Moscow expected the Taliban leadership to “deliver on their promises to come up with an inclusive government”.
According to Reuters, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that the Afghanistan situation presents new challenges and opportunities. “After being the playground for great powers time and time again, we owe it to the people of Afghanistan to not repeat the mistakes of the past.”
Zardari urged the Taliban to adopt universally accepted principles of political inclusivity and respect the rights of all citizens of Afghanistan including girl’s right to education.
