India abstains on UN resolution deploring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, says dialogue only answer

In the vote for UN Security Council resolution by the US, India abstained as it called for the immediate cessation of hostilities

PGurus Newsdesk

February 26, 2022

In the vote for UN Security Council resolution by the US, India abstained as it called for the immediate cessation of hostilities

India explains move to abstain from UN vote on Ukraine invasion

India abstained from voting on a US-sponsored UN Security Council resolution that “deplores in the strongest terms” Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine, a look at how the vote affects New Delhi’s diplomatic ties with the West and Moscow.

The UN Security Council on Friday voted on the draft resolution presented by the US and Albania and co-sponsored by several other nations, including Australia, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom.

The resolution did not pass as Russia vetoed on it. In the 15-member UN Security Council, the resolution received 11 votes in favour and three abstentions, including by India, China, and the UAE.

While explaining the council from India’s abstention from vote, T S Tirumurti India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador said, “India is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine. We urge that all efforts are made for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities.”

“Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment. It is a matter of regret that the path of diplomacy was given up. We must return to it. For all these reasons, India has chosen to abstain on this resolution,” Tirumurti said.

Trimurti tweeted, “In UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine today, India abstained on the vote on draft resolution. Our explanation of vote.”

In UN Security Council meeting on #Ukraine today, India abstained on the vote on draft resolution.

Our Explanation of Vote ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/w0yQf5h2wr

— PR/Amb T S Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) February 25, 2022

India called for all member states to honour principles of international law and the UN Charter, as these provide a constructive way forward, said sources, adding the security of the Indian community, particularly stranded students, and their “evacuation from Ukraine is an immediate priority.”

A day before the vote, the US had urged India to commit to a stronger response to Russia’s Ukraine invasion. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and had stressed the need for a “strong collective response” to condemn what America called Russia’s “premeditated, unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone and “appealed for an immediate cessation of violence, and called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue.”

[With Inputs from IANS]

PGurus is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with all the latest news and views

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.