India has again abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began a year ago.
The motion was supported by 141 countries, with 32 abstaining and seven voting against it, including Russia.
India reiterated its stand on the attack and said that peaceful dialogue is the only way.
Delhi is under pressure to take a tough stance on Russia.
Several countries, including the US and Ukraine, have openly appealed to Delhi to take a clear stand and “do the right thing”.
But India resisted the pressure and continued its strategy of not criticizing Russia directly. It has in the past abstained from similar resolutions in both the UNGA and the UNSC.
The two countries have a trusting relationship dating back decades since the Cold War. Russia is also India’s largest arms supplier, although its share has declined in recent years largely due to Delhi’s promotion of domestic defense manufacturing and expanding its import portfolio.
The two countries also have a history of diplomatic cooperation – Moscow has vetoed UN Security Council resolutions on the disputed region of Kashmir.
However, Delhi has spoken of the importance of “respecting the UN Charter, international law, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states” in its past statements on Ukraine.
In the vote at the UN on Friday, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, said “there can never be a solution at the cost of human lives”.
Excerpts from PR @ruchirakamboj’s explanation of vote at the #UNGA Emergency Special Session on #Ukraine today. pic.twitter.com/tUptpHj09j
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) February 24, 2023
A UN motion in New York called for an immediate peace and reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting any Russian claims to parts of the country it occupies.
In September, MPs in Moscow voted to illegally annex four Ukrainian regions.
The UN also demanded that “the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders” and an end to hostilities. demanded.
Apart from India, China, Iran and South Africa were among the 32 countries that did not participate in the voting.
The seven countries that voted against it included Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua and Syria.
