UNGA Passes Resolution On Humanitarian Consequences Of Ukraine War, India Abstains From Voting

India said that it abstained on the resolution since what it requires now is to focus on the cessation of hostilities and urgent humanitarian assistance. 

United Nations holds emergency special session General Assembly meetings on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. (File Photo/ AFP)

New Delhi: One month after Russia began its military advance in Ukraine, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday adopted a resolution on humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine, as tabled by Kyiv and a large cross-regional group and supported by the EU & its Member States. 

The resolution was passed with 140 members in favour, five against and 38 abstentions, including India.

BREAKING⚡UN General Assembly adopts Resolution A/ES-11/L.2 on the Humanitarian consequences of the aggression against #Ukraine as tabled by 🇺🇦Ukraine & a large cross-regional group and supported by the EU & its Member States.

The world has spoken.

✅ 140Yes
❌ 5No pic.twitter.com/9fkTWv8Hjs

— 🇪🇺EU at UN-NY (@EUatUN) March 24, 2022

After the resolution was passed at the UNGA meeting, India said that it abstained on the resolution since what it requires now is to focus on cessation of hostilities and urgent humanitarian assistance. 

"The draft resolution didn't fully reflect our expected focus on these challenges," Ambassador TS Tirumurti, Permanent Representative of India to UN said.

The 193-member General Assembly resumed its 11th Emergency Special Session on Ukraine and voted on a draft resolution Humanitarian consequences of the aggression against war-torn eastern European country.

India had previously abstained on two occasions in the Security Council and once in the General Assembly on resolutions on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The draft resolution on Ukraine in the UNGA demands an immediate cessation of the hostilities by Russia against Ukraine, in particular of any attacks against civilians and civilian objects.

The resolution also demands that civilians, including humanitarian personnel, journalists and persons in vulnerable situations, including women and children, be fully protected.

It even recalled its demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.