India Abstains From Voting On UNSC Resolution Condemning Russia’s Attack Against Ukraine

Mumbai: India has abstained on a US-sponsored UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution that “deplores in the strongest terms” Russia’s attack against Ukraine. I

“India’s 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,” said India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti at the UNSC meeting on Ukraine.

Tirumurti said that no solution can ever be found at the cost of human life. He also expressed concern over the welfare and safety of the Indian community in Ukraine.

“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,” he added.

The UN Security Council on Friday voted on a draft resolution sponsored by the US and Albania and supported by several other countries including Poland, Italy, Germany, Estonia, Luxembourg and New Zealand. Eleven countries voted in favour of the resolution while three countries, India, China and the United Arab Emirates, did not participate.

Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling on Moscow to halt its attack on Ukraine and withdraw all troops. Friday’s vote was 11-1, which did not include China, India and the United Arab Emirates. It showed significantly but not outright opposition to Russia’s invasion of its smaller, militarily weaker neighbour.

The resolution’s failure paves the way for backers to call for a swift vote on a similar measure in the U.N. General Assembly. There are no vetoes in the 193-member assembly. There’s no timetable as yet for a potential Assembly vote.

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