Russia: India on Friday abstained from voting on a draft resolution tabled by the United States and Albania at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that called for an “illegal referendum” on Russia and the Ukrainian territories. ) but his possession has been condemned. The resolution demanded that Russia immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine.
The council’s 15 countries were supposed to vote on the resolution, but Russia used a veto against it, causing the resolution to not be passed. 10 countries voted in support of this resolution and four countries China, Gabon, India, and Brazil did not participate in the vote. Earlier on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya regions.
Addressing the Council after the vote, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj said that India is deeply concerned by the recent developments in Ukraine and has always advocated that no solution can be found at the cost of human lives. can. Clarifying on abstaining from voting, he said, “We request the parties concerned to make every effort to immediately end the violence and enmity. Dialogue is the only answer to resolve differences and disputes, however difficult it may seem at the moment.
India said, ‘On the path of peace, we need to keep all channels of diplomacy open.’ Kamboj said that India’s stand has been clear from the beginning of this conflict. He said the global order rests on the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. “It is not in anyone’s interest to escalate tensions. It is important to find ways to return to the negotiating table. Keeping an eye on the rapidly changing situation, India has decided to distance itself from this proposal.
At the same time, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said before the vote that Russia’s “spurious referendum results were predetermined.” She said, “Everybody knows this. This was done at the Russian gunpoint. Time and again we have seen Ukrainian people fighting for their country and democracy. That the world still stands in favor of protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia’s Permanent Representative Vasily Nebenzia said before the vote that the referendum results speak for himself and the residents of these regions that they do not want to return to Ukraine.
Kamboj said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “clearly conveyed” the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Significantly, India has twice refrained from voting on resolutions brought about by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that the occupation of another country’s territory by threat or use of force violates the UN Charter and the principles of international law.
