India, Pakistan, China among 35 nations to abstain from voting on anti-Russia resolution – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India, along with China and Pakistan, was among 35 countries which abstained from voting on a resolution deploring in the strongest terms Russia’s actions in Ukraine and demanding that Russia “immediately, completely, and unconditionally” withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. There was emphatic support for the resolution, which is not legally binding but is said to convey the “popular will’’ of the 193-member body; it was adopted with 141 votes in favour, well over two-thirds majority.
While Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the neighbourhood abstained, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan voted in favour of the resolution against Russia. There was some embarrassment for Moscow as it found support only from Eritrea, Belarus, North Korea and Syria in voting against. That the resolution had widespread support was evident from the fact that it was co-sponsored by close to 100 countries.

India’s abstention is in line with what the government has described as its consistent position that allows it to reach out to both sides to find the middle ground and foster dialogue and diplomacy. India had abstained from a similar resolution in the UNSC too along with China and UAE. It also abstained from a procedural vote for referring the matter to UNGA.
Explaining India’s vote, Indian ambassador TS Tirumurti demanded safe and uninterrupted passage for all Indians, including Indian students stranded in the conflict zone, particularly Kharkiv, and said it remained India’s foremost priority. He expressed condolences to the family members of the Indian student who died in Kharkiv and also all civilians who lost their lives, adding that India supported the international community’s call for an immediate ceasefire and safe humanitarian access to conflict zones.
Tirumurti reiterated India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy and expressed hope that the second round of talks between Russia and Ukraine will lead to a positive outcome. In what is seen as a message for Russia, he also reiterated India’s position that the UN Charter, international law and principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.
“We remain firm in our convictions that differences can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. PM Modi has unequivocally conveyed this in his discussions with world leaders, including of Russia and Ukraine. He underscored the urgent imperative for humanitarian access and movement of stranded civilians. We sincerely hope the second round of talks between India and Ukraine will lead to a positive outcome,’’ said the ambassador.