India Choose Abstention in the UNSC Resolution Hosted by USA.

India voted against a UN Security Council resolution endorsed by the US that “strongly condemns” Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine, saying discussion is the only way to resolve differences and conflict.

The Resolution 

The resolution “strongly condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine” and orders Russia to “completely stop use of force against Ukraine and abstain from any further illegitimate threat or use of force against any UN member state.”

According to the resolution, Russia “shall immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from Ukraine’s territory within its internationally recognised borders.” It also demanded that Moscow “immediately and unconditionally reverse the decision related to the status of certain areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions.”

UN Security Council voting on resolution condemning Russian aggression.

• YES – United States – United Kingdom – France – Norway – Ireland – Albania – Gabon – Mexico – Brazil – Ghana – Kenya 
• NO – Russia
• ABSTAIN – China – India – United Arab Emirates

India’s role in Resolution

India did not support the resolution’s harsh language condemning Russia’s actions.Instead abstained from voting . It seeks to strike a balance between the Western bloc led by the United States and Russia, as it has strategic partners on both sides.

T S Tirumurti, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, outlined five key points to explain the abstention.

• The recent turn of events in Ukraine has deeply disturbed India
• We urge that all efforts be made to end the violence and hostilities as soon as possible. We are also deeply concerned about the welfare and security of the Indian community in Ukraine, including a large number of Indian students
• The modern world order is based on the UN Charter, international law, and respect for states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity
• In order to move forward in a constructive manner, all member states must adhere to these principles
• Dialogue is the only way to resolve differences and disputes, no matter how daunting it may appear at the moment.

Where will this resolution lead us in future days? 

While Russia, which chairs the UN Security Council meeting because it holds the presidency for the month of February, vetoed the resolution, China, along with the United Arab Emirates, abstained. Despite the fact that the remaining 11 members of the UN Security Council, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, voted in favour of the resolution, it did not pass because Russia vetoed it.