India Abstains From UN Vote On Ukraine, Asks If World 'Anywhere Near Possible Solution'

India abstained from voting in the UN General Assembly on a resolution that underscored the need to reach 'comprehensive, just and lasting peace' in Ukraine.

India's permanent representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj.

Source : Twitter/ANI

New Delhi: India on Thursday abstained from voting in the United Nations General Assembly on a resolution that underscored the need to reach “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, as New Delhi questioned whether the world was “anywhere near a possible solution” acceptable to both Moscow and Kyiv a year into the Ukrainian conflict.

India was among the 32 nations that abstained as the 193-member General Assembly adopted the resolution ‘Principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine’ Thursday, put forward by Ukraine and its supporters.

The resolution, which received 141 votes in favour and seven against, underscored the “need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”

During the voting at UNGA, countries condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in a 'historic voting,' at the UNGA. The assembly demanded Moscow to withdraw from Kyiv "immediately," with an appeal for the need to reach comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, ANI reported.

In the Explanation of Vote after the resolution was adopted, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said that as the General Assembly marks a year of the Ukrainian conflict, “it is important that we ask ourselves a few pertinent questions.

“Are we anywhere near a possible solution acceptable to both sides? Can any process that does not involve either of the two sides, ever lead to a credible and meaningful solution? Has the UN system, and particularly its principal organ, the UN Security Council, based on a 1945-world construct, not been rendered ineffective to address contemporary challenges to global peace and security?” Kamboj said, as quoted by PTI.

She stressed that India continues to remain concerned over the situation in Ukraine, noting that the conflict has resulted in the loss of countless lives and misery, particularly for women, children, and the elderly, with millions becoming homeless and forced to seek shelter in neighbouring countries. Reports of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are also deeply concerning, she added.

Ruchira Kamboj reiterated India's position in the Russia-Ukraine war and said that dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable way out.
"India remains steadfastly committed to multilateralism and upholds the principles of the UN Charter. We will always call for dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable way out. While we take note of the stated objective of today's Resolution, given its inherent limitations in reaching our desired goal of securing a lasting peace, we are constrained to abstain," as quoted by ANI.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement, Kamboj said, "We have consistently advocated that no solution can ever arrive at the cost of human lives. In this context, our Prime Minister's statement that this cannot be an era of war bears reiteration. Escalation of hostilities and violence is in no one's interest, instead, an urgent return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward," as quoted by ANI.

Kamboj termed as "understandable' the overall objective of the resolution seeking lasting peace in line with the UN Charter. "We also note the emphasis on increasing support by member states for diplomatic efforts to achieve peace, as well as support for the Secretary General's efforts to promote a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine," Kamboj said as quoted by PTI. "However, reports from the ground portray a complex scenario, with the conflict intensifying on several fronts," she said.