Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Here’s Why India Abstained At UN Vote On Russia For Third Time

Supporting the international community’s call for an “immediate ceasefire”, India asked for humanitarian access to conflict areas.

Ambassador of India to United Nations TS Tirumurti (PTI)

New Delhi: India abstained from voting against Russia at United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday for the third time at the 11th emergency special session that strongly deplored Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

The 193-member General Assembly voted to reaffirm its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

The resolution was adopted with 141 votes in favour, five member states voting against it and 35 abstentions including India, China and Pakistan among others.

Keeping in view the totality of the evolving situation, India decided to abstain from voting against Russia.

Explaining the reason behind the voting, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, TS Tirumurti, said India wants “safe and uninterrupted passage” for its nationals, including students, particularly from Kharkiv and other conflict zones. 

Tirumurti said India has reiterated this demand to both Russia and Ukraine and this remains India's priority.

 Supporting the international community’s call for an “immediate ceasefire”, India asked for humanitarian access to conflict areas. Tirumurti said that India hoped the second round of talks between Russia and Ukraine would yield positive results.

“India urges that all Member States demonstrate their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, to international law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states,” Tirumurti added.

A number of India’s neighbour supported the resolution — Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives, for instance. Afghanistan, currently run by a militant organisation (the Taliban), and Myanmar, currently ruled by a junta, also voted in favour of it. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka abstained from voting.

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said that Moscow is not carrying out strikes on civilians and civilian facilities.

Speaking at UN General Assembly (UNGA) emergency session on Wednesday, the Russian envoy said that a peaceful scenario of Ukraine could happen if the radicals were concerned about preserving the lives of civilians rather than hiding behind them.

“We are not carrying out strikes on civilian facilities and civilians. A peaceful scenario of Ukraine could happen if the radicals concerned about preserving civilian lives rather than hiding behind them,” said Vassily Nebenzia.