India: Continuing its habit of not voting against Russia at the UN by abstaining on a resolution at the UN Security Council (UNSC) that criticised Russia’s “illegal so-called referenda” in four of Ukraine’s regions that Moscow effectively seized on Friday.
India is “very troubled” by the current turn of events in Ukraine, said Ruchira Kamboj, India’s permanent representative to the UN, during a discussion in the UNSC on a resolution that was proposed by the United States and Albania. She also reaffirmed New Delhi’s support for dialogue, diplomacy, and peace.
She went on to say that because of the “totality of the circumstance,” India will not be voting on the resolution.
The annexation and resolution
Regarding the “recent developments” that offended it, India remained mum. However, Russia has been defeated militarily on the battlefield over the past two weeks. It then announced a bigger military mobilisation and held an unlawful referendum on more than 15% of Ukraine’s land.
According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, four Ukrainian regions were formally merged into the Russian Federation on Friday. “I want to be heard by both the Kiev government and their real masters in the West. in order for everyone to remember. Our nation’s citizens are relocating to Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk. Forever,”
According to the draught UNSC resolution, these are “areas that, in part, are under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion, in violation of the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.” India has not yet referred to the conflict in Ukraine as an invasion by Russia.
The resolution continued by stating that because Ukraine had not authorised the “so-called referenda” held in “Ukraine’s territories,” they were “illegal under international law.” It “deplored” Russia’s “illegal conduct with regard to the illegal so-called referenda” between September 23 and September 27 as an attempt to “change Ukraine’s internationally recognised frontiers.”
The UNSC resolution referred to Russian annexation aspirations as constituting a “threat to world peace and security.” Russian armed forces must “immediately, completely, and unconditionally” withdraw from all of Ukraine, including the districts where the referendums were held, according to the text. Furthermore, it criticised the referendums and asserted that Russia’s actions lacked legal support. Additionally, it urged nations and other international players to reject any claimed Russian acquisitions as well as any change in the status of Ukraine’s territories.
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India’s Position
In his statement, Kamboj reiterated India’s commitment for world peace. “We have consistently opposed seeking a solution at the expense of human life. We kindly request all sides to make every effort to put an immediate stop to hostilities and bloodshed. Even if it might be challenging right now, the best way to settle disputes is via dialogue.
She went on to emphasise that for peace to be achieved, open channels of diplomacy must be maintained. “This has been made plain to other world leaders, including the presidents of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, by the Prime Minister of India. As seen by recent appearances at the UNGA last week, so has our minister of external affairs. In addition, the Indian Prime Minister has emphasised that this cannot be a time of war.
According to Kamboj, India fervently desires a “early commencement of peace negotiations to result in an expedient ceasefire and settlement of the war.”
“Throughout this battle, India’s stance has been quite distinct and uncompromising. The global system is predicated on the ideals of the UN charter, international law, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, she added, reiterating India’s viewpoint.
It is not in anyone’s best interests for the rhetoric or tension to heat up, India continued. Finding a way to return to the negotiating table is essential. India considered the overall situation before deciding to abstain from the resolution’s vote.
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