NEW DELHI: India has, in all, abstained over a dozen times from voting at UNSC on resolutions condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine in what many be seen as a tilt towards Moscow, but it has also maintained, and reminded Russia, all along that the global order is based on the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.
This was reiterated in India’s explanation of vote by Indian ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, who also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for an immediate end to hostilities and return to dialogue and diplomacy. While the West lauded Modi’s recent remark to President Vladimir Putin that this wasn’t the era of war, Russian ambassador to India Denis Alipov had insisted there was no change in India’s position and that the Western leaders had cherry-picked Modi’s remarks that suited their own interests.
Significantly, India’s Brics partner Brazil, which had earlier voted to condemn Russia’s actions, also abstained. The resolution, which condemned the referendums calling upon nations to not recognise the altered status of Ukrainian territory, was vetoed by Russia. It will be taken up though by the UN General Assembly within the next 10 days as specified by a resolution adopted earlier to allow all UN member-states to scrutinise publicly any use of veto power.
In her remarks after the voting, Kamboj warned against escalation of rhetoric or tensions saying this would be in no one’s interest. “It is important that pathways are found for a return to the negotiating table,” she said.
India didn’t make any direct reference to the referendums but Kamboj said India was deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine. “India’s PM has also emphasised that this cannot be an era of war. We, therefore, sincerely hope for an early resumption of peace talks to bring about an immediate ceasefire and resolution of the conflict,” said Kamboj.
This was reiterated in India’s explanation of vote by Indian ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, who also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for an immediate end to hostilities and return to dialogue and diplomacy. While the West lauded Modi’s recent remark to President Vladimir Putin that this wasn’t the era of war, Russian ambassador to India Denis Alipov had insisted there was no change in India’s position and that the Western leaders had cherry-picked Modi’s remarks that suited their own interests.
Significantly, India’s Brics partner Brazil, which had earlier voted to condemn Russia’s actions, also abstained. The resolution, which condemned the referendums calling upon nations to not recognise the altered status of Ukrainian territory, was vetoed by Russia. It will be taken up though by the UN General Assembly within the next 10 days as specified by a resolution adopted earlier to allow all UN member-states to scrutinise publicly any use of veto power.
In her remarks after the voting, Kamboj warned against escalation of rhetoric or tensions saying this would be in no one’s interest. “It is important that pathways are found for a return to the negotiating table,” she said.
India didn’t make any direct reference to the referendums but Kamboj said India was deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine. “India’s PM has also emphasised that this cannot be an era of war. We, therefore, sincerely hope for an early resumption of peace talks to bring about an immediate ceasefire and resolution of the conflict,” said Kamboj.
