New Delhi ‘deeply disturbed’ by Ukraine development, calls for cessation of hostilities
India abstained from voting on a resolution against Russia in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and said it was deeply disturbed by the events in Ukraine. Calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, India has now given itself the flexibility to engage with other countries to find a diplomatic solution to end the conflict. The resolution could not be passed as a permanent member Russia vetoed.
In the 15-member UNSC, the resolution received 11 votes in favour and three abstentions, including by India, China, and the United Arab Emirates.
While abstaining from voting on Friday night, India said dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes and voiced “regret” that the path of diplomacy was
given up.
In the Explanation of Vote that called for a return to the path of diplomacy, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN TS Tirumurti said, “India is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine.”
Explaining the reason for abstention, he said, “All member States should honour principles of international law and UN Charter, as these provide a constructive way forward.” He also said India had maintained its “consistent, steadfast and balanced position”.
The statement called for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and immediate cessation of violence and hostilities — words conveyed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Thursday.
An earlier draft of the resolution had proposed moving the resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which provides the framework within which the Security Council may take enforcement action. However, this was dropped in the final version that was put to vote, said sources.
By abstaining from the resolution, India retained the option of reaching out to all relevant parties to find a middle ground and foster dialogue and diplomacy to defuse the crisis, official sources said on Saturday.
Though India abstained from voting on the resolution, it called for respecting “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of States and sought immediate cessation of “violence and hostilities”, in comments that the sources said reflected a “sharper tone” and criticism of the Russian offensive.
India also told the UNSC it was in touch with all concerned parties and urged them to return to the negotiating table. Sources said India’s call for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and seeking an end to the ongoing “violence” is reflective of its criticism of the Russian action and a subtle change in its overall approach.
Tirumurti also said dialogue is the only answer to settle differences and disputes and that no solution can ever arrive at cost of human lives.
India also conveyed that the welfare and security of the Indian community, in particular stranded students and their evacuation from Ukraine, has been its immediate priority.
Sources said India called on all member States to honor principles of international law and the United Nations Charter as these provide a constructive way forward. In India’s three previous statements at the UN Security Council on the Ukraine crisis, there was a reference on the need for taking into account the “legitimate security interests” of all concerned countries. However, it is learned that there was no such reference during Friday’s session.
