India’s decision to abstain in the UN Security Council resolution on Ukraine strikes a balance between national interests and core beliefs. Predictably, the tough resolution was defeated by Russia, backed by 11 countries, with India, the United Arab Emirates and China opting to abstain.

While China also abstained, India and Beijing have contrasted their interpretations of the vote. Both countries support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, but China actually defends Russia’s actions.

Ambassador Zhang Jun’s Chinese statement said: “We believe that the security of one country cannot be at the expense of the security of other countries, and regional security should not be based on muscle building or even the expansion of military blocs. The legitimate security concerns of all countries should be respected. Against the backdrop of five consecutive rounds of NATO’s eastward expansion, Russia’s legitimate security demands should be taken seriously and fully addressed.”
While the United States, France and Britain are expected to push for the resolution at the UN General Assembly to ensure global condemnation of the Russian aggression, the situation in Kiev is deteriorating by the day as the Red Army invades the Ukrainian capital.

According to a former foreign minister, India’s abstention reflects its national interest, given India’s long-standing strategic relationship with Russia and its growing proximity to China and Chinese vassals. India’s deep concern over events in Ukraine in its interpretation of the vote reflects India’s beliefs. In its statement, India called on all member states to respect the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and international law, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries.

India abstained from voting on the UN Security Council resolution.
“China’s interpretation of the vote seems to support Russia, while our interpretation is objective and shows that it violates the UN Charter and international law. At the same time, we also leave room for diplomacy and dialogue. Our vote reserves the right to lend a helping hand. And to encourage all parties to continue to engage in options under the circumstances,” an Indian diplomat said in New York.

In its statement, the UAE also supported the resolution’s emphasis on the need to uphold the principles of international law and the UN Charter, which is more in line with India’s statement. He reaffirmed his commitment to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all UN member states, which is in turn part of the UN Security Council resolution.

“The outcome of today’s vote is a foregone conclusion, but the avenues for dialogue must be more urgent than ever, and we must pursue them together,” the Emirati diplomat told the council.

As India made clear its position on sovereignty and territorial integrity in the Declaration of the Thirteenth BRICS Leaders’ Meeting in New Delhi on September 9, 2021, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kouleba called his Foreign Minister Jay Shankar on Friday evening. , discusses Ukraine and the situation in Ukraine. Indian students were quickly evacuated from the war-torn country.

The reason for India’s abstention is also part of a strategy by which New Delhi can use its good offices to bring all parties to the negotiating table in the near future, given its traditional ties to Russia and natural allies of the West, especially the US and France. , Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba asked for Indian currency to Russia in a call to EAM Jaishankar to end the fighting and demand peace.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked President Putin to stop the violence and called on Russia to resolve the situation through diplomacy and dialogue.

Complete News Source : HINDUSTAN TIMES