India on Saturday abstained on a US-sponsored decision on the United Nations Security Council that “deplores in the strongest terms” Russia’s “aggression” towards Ukraine, however sharpened its language by flagging three necessary considerations — respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, the UN constitution and worldwide regulation—with out naming Russia.
Hours later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stated that he “urged India to give political support in the UN Security Council”. “Spoke with Prime Minister @narendramodi. Informed of the course of Ukraine repulsing Russian aggression. More than 100,000 invaders are on our land. They insidiously hearth on residential buildings. Urged India to offer us political assist in UN Security Council. Stop the aggressor collectively!” he tweeted.
The Prime Minister’s Office stated that Zelenskyy had “briefed” Modi in regards to the battle in Ukraine. Modi expressed his deep anguish in regards to the lack of lives and property because of the battle, it stated and reiterated his name for an “immediate cessation of violence” and a return to dialogue, and “expressed India’s willingness to contribute in any way towards peace efforts ” While Modi had appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for “immediate cessation of violence”, that is the primary time that he has expressed his willingness to take part within the peace course of. Modi additionally conveyed deep concern for the security and safety of Indian residents, together with college students, current in Ukraine. “He sought facilitation by Ukrainian authorities to expeditiously and safely evacuate Indian citizens,” the PMO stated.
While Russia—which chaired the Security Council assembly because it holds the presidency for the month of February—vetoed the decision, China too abstained together with United Arab Emirates. The remaining 11 members—together with the US, the UK and France—voted in favor of the unsuccessful decision.
Though India’s assertion after the vote didn’t identify Russia, it’s stronger than earlier statements made on the Security Council on the problem within the final one month or so. The vote and the reason by TS Tirumurti, India’s everlasting consultant to the UN in New York, got here after sustained diplomatic strain was mounted by the US-led Western bloc in addition to Russia.
With strategic companions on either side, India’s voting and assertion had been a manifestation of its diplomatic tightrope stroll. A high Indian diplomat instructed The Indian Express, “The resolution was dead on arrival…so votes and statements were made to display our positions, principles and interests. India took a call to abstain in view of its interests, while the statement underlined its principles.”
While its abstention shall be seen as siding with Russia, its assertion on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, UN Charter and worldwide regulation shall be perceived as in sync with its Western companions’ views. But India nonetheless stopped wanting condemning Russia’s actions, a lot to the Western bloc’s dismay.
In its clarification, India made 5 key factors:
First, it stated that it’s “deeply disturbed”, however didn’t identify Russia in any respect. India’s everlasting consultant on the UN stated “India is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine.” Earlier, it had expressed “regret” and “deep concern”.
Second, it repeated its enchantment for “cessation of violence and hostilities”. “We urge that all efforts are made for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities,” Tirumurti stated. This was conveyed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russian President Vladimir Putin as nicely in the course of the cellphone name, however at the moment he had solely talked about “cessation of violence” — so including “hostilities” amounted to sharpening the criticism. “No solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives,” the Indian envoy stated as Ukraine has been claiming a excessive variety of casualties together with civilians.
Third, it flagged its core concern in regards to the Indian nationals. There are about 16,000 Indian nationals, largely college students, nonetheless there. “We are also deeply concerned about the welfare and security of the Indian community, including a large number of Indian students, in Ukraine,” Tirumurti stated. Earlier this week, Modi had spoken to Putin about them and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has additionally spoken to his counterparts in Russia, Ukraine and 4 neighboring nations — Poland, Hungary, Slovak Republic and Romania. The first batch of scholars shall be coming by highway after which by flight through Bucharest, Romania.
Fourth, it touched upon “territorial integrity and sovereignty”, which was a brand new theme. “The modern world order has been constructed on the UN Charter, worldwide regulation, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. All member states have to honor these ideas to find a constructive approach ahead,” Tirumurti stated.
And fifth, it advocated diplomacy. “Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and controversies, however daunting that may appear at this moment,” he stated. “It is a matter of remorse that the trail of diplomacy was given up. We should return to it. For all these causes, India has chosen to abstain on this decision.”
In the wee hours of Saturday, the UN Security Council voted on the draft decision introduced by the US and Albania and co-sponsored by a number of different nations together with Australia, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania and the United Kingdom.
The decision had reaffirmed the Security Council’s dedication to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine inside its internationally acknowledged borders. It “deplored in the strongest terms” Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine” and determined that Russia “shall immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine and shall refrain from any further unlawful threat or use of force against any UN member state”.
The decision additionally stated that Russia “shall immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders”.
It additionally stated Moscow “shall immediately and unconditionally reverse the decision related to the status of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.”
But India didn’t endorse the cruel language used within the decision condemning Russia’s actions and determined to abstain as a result of it desires to keep up a steadiness between the US-led bloc and Russia and it has strategic companions on either side.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
