India has called for pragmatic engagement with the Taliban during its address to the UN Security Council, emphasizing that a focus solely on punitive measures will not lead to positive change in Afghanistan. India’s Permanent Representative, P. Harish, highlighted the need for nuanced policies that incentivize constructive behavior from the Taliban while ensuring the development and humanitarian needs of the Afghan people are met. He condemned Pakistan’s acts of “trade and transit terrorism,” which threaten Afghanistan’s economic recovery, and referred to the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by border closures and recent violence, including airstrikes that resulted in civilian casualties. Harish reaffirmed India’s commitment to assist Afghanistan through over 500 development projects and the recent upgrade of its technical mission in Kabul to an embassy, which underscores its role in promoting stability and cooperation in the region. The broader significance of these developments lies in India’s strategic positioning as a key player in Afghanistan’s reconstruction while also addressing the challenges posed by cross-border terrorism, particularly linked to Pakistan.