India Firmly Abstains At UN Vote On Ukraine Invasion
Initially the USA sponsored resolution on Ukraine had proposed moving the resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which provides the framework within which the Security Council may take enforcement action. However, this was dropped in the final version that was put to vote.
India , China and UAE all three abstained on the Friday voting on the above US-sponsored UN Security Council resolution that deplored in the strongest terms Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. New Delhi was quite firm that dialogue was the only answer to settling differences and disputes and voiced “regret” that the path of diplomacy was given up.
The resolution did not pass as permanent member Russia used its veto. In the 15-member UN Security Council, the resolution received 11 votes in favour and three abstentions.
India has maintained a tough diplomatic balance on the Russia-Ukraine war, it used strong words on Russia’s actions but stopped short of voting against it. Though , the US had tried to up pressure on India to commit to a stronger response to Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, speaking to Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, had stressed on the importance of a “strong collective response” to condemn what America called Russia’s “premeditated, unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine”.
However India stayed firm on its stand at the UNSC vote, and later issued a statement that called for a return to the path of diplomacy.
“India is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador TS Tirumurti, said, explaining India’s abstention.
“All member states should honour principles of international law and UN Charter, as these provide a constructive way forward,” said India, asserting that it had maintained its “consistent, steadfast and balanced position”.
The statement called for respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and immediate cessation of violence and hostilities – words conveyed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Thursday.
Sources said by abstaining, India has retained the option of reaching out to relevant sides in an effort to bridge the gap and find the middle ground, with an aim to foster dialogue and diplomacy.
