India along with China and UAE had abstained from voting on the resolution which condemned Russia for invading Ukraine. The resolution was put up for a vote at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) early Saturday morning. The resolution had been vetoed by Russia and even thanked India, China and UAE for abstaining themselves and not supporting the resolution.
The resolution condemned Russia’s clear “aggression” against Ukraine and had demanded the “immediate, complete and unconditional” withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine. Eleven countries had voted in the favour of the resolution.
The UN Security Council just voted to condemn Russia over invasion of Ukraine.
For: 11 countries
Against: Russia
Abstain: China, India, UAERussia then vetoed it. pic.twitter.com/Q7lIK6oCKj
— The Recount (@therecount) February 25, 2022
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti explained India’s stance on the vote. He had explained that India was deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine. He further explains that India urges all efforts should be taken for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities. Adding to his statement, he said that no solution could be achieved at the cost of human lives. Moreover, he added it was a matter of deep regret that the path of diplomacy was abandoned.
However, India did send a message on the territorial integrity of states at the UNSC Ukraine meet. India stated that the contemporary global order was built on the UN charter of international law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of the States.
In UN Security Council meeting on #Ukraine today, India abstained on the vote on draft resolution.
Our Explanation of Vote ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/w0yQf5h2wr
— Amb T S Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) February 25, 2022
Both the West and Russia have been pressurising India to choose a side on the Ukraine issue. While the West expects India to support them on the issue, Russia also expects India to support them on the issue as well. Along with them, the EU has been expecting India to take a stand on the situation in Ukraine. However, New Delhi is maintaining that there ought to be de-escalation and dialogue.
Analysts believe that India’s vote of abstinence could have been influenced by the past. Ukraine had repeatedly voted against India in various UN resolutions. Ukraine had vehemently opposed India’s nuclear tests in 1998 and condemned India for the same at the UN. Ukraine had also voted in favour of UN Resolution 1172, which had condemned the nuclear tests conducted by India.
References: The Economic Times.
