United Nations, Dec 22 (UNI) India has voiced serious concern over the rise in opium production and the increase in the areas under opium cultivation in Afghanistan because of the drug's role in fuelling terrorism.
Deputy Permanent Representative Tanmaya Lal said Afghanistan's opium cultivation and production hitting record levels in 2017 as highlighted in the UN Office on Drug and Crime are a cause for serious concern, especially its role in perpetuating the cycle of terrorism.
"This drug trafficking is also not a local concern. The international networks that control this illegal trade have to be identified and tackled. The problem needs to be addressed through verifiable measures and actions," he said, participating in an open debate on the situation in Afghanistan on Thursday.