Having so far refrained from voting against Russia on the Ukraine issue, India has for the first time voted against it during a “procedural vote” at the United Nations Security Council(UNSC) inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address a meeting through a video tele-conference.
In the 15-member UNSC, 13 countries, including India, voted against the Russian contention that Zelenskyy should be present in person at the meeting.
Russia voted against the invitation while China abstained. Voting took place late Wednesday evening. Clarifying India’s stand, ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said here on Thursday it was not a vote against Russia.
India favoured inviting the Ukraine President for a video-conference at the meeting, he said adding New Delhi had on two occasions earlier also wanted Zelenskyy to speak. India has repeatedly urged Russia and Ukraine to resolve the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue.
India currently is a non-permanent member of the 15-member UNSC for a two-year term, which ends in December. The UNSC held a meeting on Wednesday to take stock of the now six-month-old conflict on the 31st anniversary of Ukraine's independence.
Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily A Nebenzia requested a procedural vote concerning Ukrainian President's participation in the meeting by video tele-conference. Following statements by him and Ferit Hoxha of Albania, the Council extended an invitation to Zelensky to participate in the meeting via video tele-conference by a vote of 13 in favour to one against.
Nebenzia insisted that Russia does not oppose Zelensky's participation, but such participation must be in-person.