Uzbekistan has temporarily closed its Afghanistan border at the Friendship Bridge to prevent COVID-19 spread. The Islamic Emirate dismissed Pakistan’s claims about Daesh threats, asserting full control. India emphasizes humanitarian support and development projects. China urges international engagement with Afghanistan to ensure stability and address pressing humanitarian needs.
Uzbekistan has temporarily closed its border with Afghanistan at the Afghanistan–Uzbekistan Friendship Bridge in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. This bridge connects the town of Hairatan in Afghanistan’s northern Balkh province to Termez in Uzbekistan. Munir Ahmad Farhad, the spokesperson for the provincial governor, indicated that the closure might not be permanent and could be lifted in the near future.
Recently, a flight from Iran arrived at Mazar-e-Sharif, although local officials confirmed that none of the passengers were infected with the virus. Currently, Balkh province has reported no positive COVID-19 cases, though instances have been noted in Herat and possible infections in Ghor, Farah, and Badakhshan provinces. Additionally, Pakistan announced a one-week closure of the Chaman border crossing with Afghanistan in response to the ongoing outbreak.
Hamdullah Fitrat, a spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, stated that claims made by Pakistan regarding the threat of Daesh in Afghanistan are unfounded. He emphasized that the Islamic Emirate has full control over Afghanistan and does not permit unauthorized activities. Fitrat noted that Afghanistan’s absence from UN meetings has allowed other nations to distort its image, urging that the United Nations should restore Afghanistan’s rightful place in discussions.
India’s engagement with Afghanistan was highlighted by Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, who described the unique people-to-people ties that form the foundation of their relationship. He mentioned that discussions have taken place regarding bilateral relations and regional developments, and India plans to consider future development projects alongside ongoing humanitarian efforts.
Furthermore, during a UN meeting, China called for deeper economic cooperation and humanitarian aid for Afghanistan while highlighting the need to address the various challenges the country faces, including women’s rights. Fu Cong, China’s envoy to the UN, highlighted the importance of continuing dialogue with the Afghan government to support reconstruction and prevent potential humanitarian crises.
Fu urged that traditional donors should resume aid to Afghanistan without using humanitarian assistance as a tool for political pressure. He also emphasized that the Afghan economy, while experiencing growth, remains fragile and requires collaborative international efforts to stabilize and enhance its development potential.
In his closing remarks, Fu reiterated China’s commitment to respecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and emphasized that China does not interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.
In summary, Uzbekistan’s decision to temporarily close its border with Afghanistan is a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19. Parallelly, the Islamic Emirate has rebuffed Pakistan’s assertions regarding security threats from Daesh, asserting control over the country. India’s ongoing engagement in Afghanistan emphasizes humanitarian support and development projects. Meanwhile, China’s call for increased cooperation and aid highlights the need for international solidarity to address Afghanistan’s pressing challenges while respecting its sovereignty. Overall, the region remains vigilant in navigating health and security concerns amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Original Source: www.ariananews.af
