New Delhi: With India abstaining from voting on the UNSC resolution condemning Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, the Russian embassy in New Delhi on Saturday appreciated the country’s “independent and balanced position”.
“Highly appreciate India’s independent and balanced position at the voting in the UNSC on February 25, 2022. In the spirit of the special and privileged strategic partnership Russia is committed to maintain close dialogue with India on the situation around Ukraine,” Russia in India tweeted.
India along with China and the UAE abstained from voting on a US-sponsored resolution that condemned Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine.
"India is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine and urges for an "immediate cessation of violence and hostilities," said T.S. Tirumurti, India's Permanent Representative to the UN.
“All member states need to honour these principles in finding a constructive way forward. Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences & disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment,” he added.
Asserting it’s a matter of regret that the path of diplomacy was given up, Tirumurti said: “We must return to it. For all these reasons, India has chosen to abstain on this resolution.”
He said “no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives”.
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“We are also deeply concerned about the welfare of the Indian community, including a large number of students, in Ukraine. The contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states,” Tirumurti told the United Nations as Russia vetoed the resolution to halt the offensive.
“All members need to honour these principles and find a constructive way forward. Dialogue is the only answer to settling disputes. However, daunting it may appear at this moment,” he added.