US Recalls Message To Diplomats Saying India's Neutral Position On Ukraine Puts Delhi In Russia's Camp: Report

Rated sensitive but unclassified, the cable was sent to US embassies in 50 countries.

Indian ambassador to the UN T S Tirumurti | Photo: Twitter/@ambtstirumurti

New Delhi: As India continues to walk a diplomatic tightrope over the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the US State Department recalled a cable instructing American diplomats to convey to their counterparts in India and UAE that their stand on Ukraine put them in "Russia's camp," reported US based news website Axios.

Rated sensitive but unclassified, the cable was sent to US embassies in 50 countries represented at the UN Human Rights Council. It suggested that US diplomats convince India and UAE to change their position of neutrality on Ukraine. 

However, the cable was recalled by the US on Tuesday, a day after it was sent to various countries to persuade India and UAE into changing their stand, reported Axios.

The report also highlighted some draft points suggested for US diplomats to use while persuading their counterparts in both the countries.

"Continuing to call for dialogue, as you have been doing in the Security Council, is not a stance of neutrality; it places you in Russia's camp, the aggressor in this conflict," said one of the draft points.

"We strongly encourage you to take the opportunity to support Ukraine in the HRC [Human Rights Council], an opportunity you failed to seize in the UNSC [United Nations Security Council]," another draft point said.

Last week, India along with UAE and China abstained on a US backed United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at calling a special session of the UN General Assembly on Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out on February 24, over 2,000 Ukrainian civilians have died, according to Ukrainian emergency services.