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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (June 13, 2026 - June 19, 2026) June 19, 2026 12 India India Urges Overhaul Of Current Sanctions On Afghanistan At The UNSC Meeting -UNITED NATIONS I ndia urged a real overhaul of the current sanc- tions regime on Afghanistan at the UN Security Councils Meeting on the Situation in Afghani- stan, June 8, 2026. Calling for a focus on direct welfare of the Afghan people, rather than wielding “tools of punishment”, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, asked for a review of the global policy and punitive measures. The political reality of Afghanistan has changed in the last five years and the current UN sanctions regime must take that into account, Harish said. “The UN and international community need policy instruments that aim to benefit the people of Afghanistan and nudge policy in the right direc- tion rather than only wielding tools of punishment that are yielding diminishing returns,” he said. On India’s part, it imports forty three percent of Afghanistan’s exports, according to theWorld Bank, Har- ish pointed out. India has offered a tariff free access for Afghan goods to Indian markets, and operationalized a dedicated air freight corridor between India and Afghani- stan, Harish stated. India is also granting long term busi- ness visas to Afghan traders, he added. In this connection, Harish criticized the restriction of transit access for Afghan traders by Pakistan labeling it as trade and transit terrorism. He pointed out that this closure of access for Afghanistan which is a land locked country violates the UN declarations on Land Locked Developing Countries. Pakistan’s violation ofWTO norms and of the UN Charter and international law warrants international condemnation, Harish said. In his statement, Harish also strongly condemned Pakistan’s military airstrikes inside Afghanistan, which he noted had resulted in a high number of civilian casual- ties. “Killing, maiming and orphaning civilians is not counter terrorism,” Harish said. Harish went on to detail how India’s extensive devel- opmental footprint in Afghanistan in the recent years has been providing a lifeline to Afghan people, especially when the UN has documented severe funding gaps and economic challenges. India has been contributing to Afghanistan’s immedi- ate needs during disasters, and its development and ca- pacity building needs of trade, healthcare, nutrition and education, especially providing means and opportunities for higher education to women, he said. Referring to the old historical ties with its contiguous neighbor, Harish reemphasized India’s stand in favor of development and stability in the region, citing India’s participation in the DohaWorking Group meetings as proof of its intentions. Development Partnership Projects Harish said India is engaged in over 500 development partnership projects across all 34 Afghan provinces, with a focus on public infrastructure, capacity building, and healthcare. Maternal & Child Health: India has helped establish rural maternity clinics in Paktika, Khost, and Paktia provinces. It has also recently delivered 33 tons of BCG and Tetanus & Diphtheria vaccines and related dry materials to Kabul. India funds the medical treatment of Afghan children suffering from acute congenital heart dis- eases in India, and the development of a Thalas- semia center in Heart, Harish said. Hospitals & Centers: India’s projects include the modernization of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, the construction of oncology and trauma centers, and ongoing construction of a new 30-bed hospital, all in Kabul. India is helping in introducing new healthcare technologies and installation of advanced medical devices across Afghan hospitals in partnership with the UN International Children’s Emergency Fund and the Afghan Red Cross Society. Humanitarian aid: Since August 2021, India has supplied more than 50,000 tons of wheat, 420 tons of medicines and vaccines including anti-cancer medicines and medicines for vector diseases, as well as 40,000 liters of pesticides. Disaster relief: In April 2026, India delivered 3 tons of specialized flood relief supplies including kitchen sets, dignity and hygiene kits, plastic sheets, tarpaulins, sleeping bags, and more. India was among the first to respond with 60 tons of food, 42 tons of earthquake relief materials and 73 tons of essential medicines during the earthquake. Education: India has been offering thousands of aca- demic scholarships and fellowships to Afghan students since 2023, including 1,000 to Afghan women, with plans to offer an additional 1,000, Harish said. India has also been providing ongoing logistic and financial backing for women-led self-help groups in Afghanistan. By Archana Adalja UN Honors Indian Peacekeeper Abhilasha Barak U nited Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres honored an Indian Peacekeeper June 5, 2026, for her work in the field of gender equity. “Congratulations to our @UN Military Gender Advo- cate of the Year, Major Abhilasha Barak of India, who is #ServingForPeace with @UNPeacekeepingin Lebanon,” Guterres posted on X.com . “Her work shows the critical role that @UNIFIL_ plays & how its presence is transforming the lives of women & girls, even under the most challenging circumstances. Major Barak, you are a role model to those you serve & those you serve with. Thank you for your service,” Guter- rez added. r Advocate of the Year “in recognition of her outstand- ing leadership in promoting gender-responsive peace- keeping and advancing theWomen, Peace and Security agenda during her deployment with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since June 2025,” the Indian government UN site said (india.un.org ). The award was presented by Guterres at the UN during a ceremony marking the International Day of United Na- tions Peacekeepers. Major Barak has been serving with UNIFIL since June 2025 as Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point with the Indian Battalion in Sector East, southern Lebanon. In that role, she has worked to integrate gender perspectives into military operations, patrols and civil- military activities, helping ensure that the needs and concerns of women and vulnerable groups are reflected in operational planning and community engagement, the india.un.org site noted. She has led extensive outreach efforts reaching more than 5,000 women and girls through education, health- care and vocational training programs aimed at support- ing empowerment and post-conflict recovery. Within six months, she conducted 539 gender-focused field activi- ties, the highest number recorded within the mission, while also leading all-women patrols during periods of heightened tensions. Major Barak also introduced an artificial intelligence- driven platform known as the Lebanon Gender Initia- tive, designed to strengthen protection mechanisms for women and children. The platform enables confidential reporting of gender-based violence and provides access to helpline services, grievance tracking, self-defense resources and educational materials. Her efforts also helped 75 Lebanese women from com- munities across southern Lebanon secure fully funded scholarships under India’s Indian Technical and Eco- nomic Cooperation (ITEC) program. The scholarships provide professional training in areas such as renewable energy, agri-entrepreneurship and finance. The United Nations said her sustained engagement with local communities has helped build trust, create safe spaces for dialogue and strengthen early warning networks, contributing to both civilian protection and mission effectiveness. By a StaffWriter PHOTO X.COM @ANTONIOGUTERRES PHOTO:UN PHOTO/LOEY FELIPE UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres presenting the Military Gender Advocate of the Year award to Major Abhilasha Barak June 5, 2026, in a ceremony at UN headquarters in New York. The UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan at the UN Headquarters in New York, June 8, 2026.