The Delhi Regional Security Dialogue held extensive discussions on the very serious humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the MEA Spokesperson said

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has said there is a need for urgent humanitarian assistance for Afghan people but at the same time referred to difficulties being faced because of lack of unimpeded access to Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, at the regional dialogue, National Security Advisors of India, five Central Asian countries, Russia and Iran called for providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in an unimpeded, direct and assured manner.

“During the NSA meeting, both the bilateral meetings as well as in the actual conference that took place, there was clearly concern over the very serious humanitarian situation, and I would say looming humanitarian situation rather than just immediate,” MEA Spokesperson Bagchi said at a media briefing yesterday.

“We have been looking at possibilities, but there have been difficulties due to lack of unimpeded access,” the MEA Spokesperson Bagchi added when asked whether India is looking at sending aid to Afghanistan. Pakistan has not allowed transit facilities to send aid to Afghanistan.

“With winter approaching, there are disturbing reports coming in of dire humanitarian situations (in Afghanistan) and I hope that the joint call by so many NSAs would spur movement on the ground,” the MEA Spokesperson added.

In response to a question on China's participation on Afghanistan at a dialogue hosted by Pakistan while declining to attend India-hosted conference, the MEA Spokesperson did not give a direct reply, but he said: “We invited China. They said they could not come because of scheduling issues.”

The MEA Spokesperson said Pakistan too was invited to the dialogue and its decision not to participate in such an important meeting reflects its attitude towards the issue of Afghanistan.

He said the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue held extensive discussions on the very serious humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and that concerns were expressed over it.