{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Empires rose and fell but our brotherhood remains unbreakable: Parvathaneni Harish at UN",
  "summary": "At a UN Security Council meeting, India highlighted its historic ties with Afghanistan and pledged ongoing humanitarian support, emphasizing that the bond between the two nations remains resilient despite centuries of change.",
  "content": "During a recent United Nations Security Council meeting, discussions centered on the political landscape, security challenges, humanitarian crises, and human rights conditions in Afghanistan. India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, addressed the council by first congratulating France on assuming the presidency for the month and expressing gratitude for the floor. He also acknowledged the briefing provided by the Head of the Mission and Deputy SRSG for Political Affairs in Afghanistan, Jeorgette Gagnon, while noting the insights shared by civil society organizations.\n\nA Bond Beyond Modern Borders\nParvathaneni Harish emphasized that as neighbors, the relationship between Indians and Afghans predates modern maps and political boundaries. Historically, the routes connecting Kabul to the plains of India were not merely commercial pathways, but conduits for ideas, knowledge, beliefs, and faith. Over the centuries, numerous empires rose and vanished across these regions, but the thread of friendship and brotherhood connecting the Afghan and Indian peoples never snapped. This enduring sentiment forms the foundation of his country's policy toward Afghanistan, supporting peace, stability, and prosperity to aid sustainable development. Proof of this commitment is evident in India's participation in the Doha Working Group meetings, robust bilateral development partnerships, and ongoing regional initiatives.\n\nHarish reiterated the strong belief of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India's shared aspiration for a peaceful and secure Eurasia is deeply intertwined with peace and stability within Afghanistan. Through more than 500 development partnership projects spanning all 34 provinces of Afghanistan, India continues to contribute to the nation's growth. The commitment to delivering assistance to the Afghan people remains unwavering, with India collaborating closely with United Nations agencies and entities like the Afghan Red Crescent Society to reach those most in need.\n\nExpanding Cooperation and Addressing Humanitarian Needs\nRecent months have seen visits by Afghan ministers to India, enabling fruitful discussions on humanitarian assistance, development projects, healthcare, food security, capacity-building, counter-narcotics, sports, education, trade, travel, and connectivity. All these efforts are directed toward the welfare and developmental needs of the more than 4.8 crore Afghan people who have faced severe deprivation, hardships, and deep neglect from the international community over the past five years.\n\nHighlighting the findings of the UN Secretary-General's report, Harish pointed to the crisis facing Afghanistan's fragile public health system, which led to the closure of 150 health centers in the first half of the year alone. Stating that the global community cannot turn a blind eye to this grave situation, he stressed the need to invest in preventing a humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan. To support children's vaccination programs during the previous quarter, India dispatched 33 tonnes of vaccines and related supplies. Additionally, during this reporting period, India provided specialized medical equipment to Afghan health authorities, including neonatal and pediatric care equipment, cardiograph machines, ventilators, patient monitors, electrocautery equipment, plastic surgery sets, and specialized medical kits.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis diplomatic and humanitarian engagement directly impacts regional stability and international relations.\n\n• Across India: National level: This policy strengthens India's long-term strategic approach toward regional security and stability, helping maintain a balanced diplomatic footprint across South and Central Asia.\n\n• In Afghanistan: Local population: Amid closures of health facilities and a deepening humanitarian crisis, India's dispatch of 33 tonnes of vaccines, essential medical equipment, and supplies directly aids vulnerable Afghan citizens and children in urgent need of care.\n\nWhy this happened\nThis diplomatic outreach and humanitarian intervention stem from the mounting socioeconomic and public health crises unfolding within Afghanistan.\n\n• Historical and Cultural Roots: Shared heritage: The centuries-old civilizational, commercial, and intellectual ties between the people of India and Afghanistan form the bedrock of this continuous policy, remaining resilient through successive political regimes.\n\n• Public Health Emergency: Healthcare collapse: According to UN reports, the fragility of Afghanistan's public health infrastructure—highlighted by the closure of 150 health centers in the first half of the year—created an urgent need for external medical intervention.\n\n• Imperative for Regional Stability: Security and growth: Achieving a stable and peaceful Eurasia is closely linked to peace in Afghanistan, motivating India's continued involvement through development projects across all 34 provinces.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Who represented India at the United Nations Security Council meeting?\nIndia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, represented the country at the meeting.\n\n2. In how many provinces of Afghanistan is India running development projects?\nIndia is contributing through more than 500 development partnership projects across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.\n\n3. How much medical supply did India send for children's vaccination programs?\nIndia dispatched 33 tonnes of vaccines and related materials in the previous quarter to support children's vaccination programs.\n\n4. How many health centers closed in Afghanistan during the first half of the year?\nA total of 150 health centers closed down during the first half of the year due to the failing public health system.\n\n5. What topics were discussed during recent visits by Afghan ministers to India?\nDiscussions covered humanitarian assistance, development projects, healthcare, food security, education, and trade.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/world/empires-rose-and-fell-but-our-brotherhood-remains-unbreakable-parvathaneni-harish-at-un-32824",
  "category": "World",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-17",
  "tags": [
    "United Nations",
    "Afghanistan",
    "Parvathaneni Harish",
    "Security Council",
    "Humanitarian Aid",
    "India",
    "Narendra Modi"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}