Ukraine-Russia War: India along with 32 countries abstained on a resolution at the UN General Assembly that underlined the need to reach a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine on Friday.
India questioned whether the world was “anywhere near a possible solution” acceptable to both Moscow and Kiev a year into the Ukrainian conflict.
The non-binding resolution, which received 141 votes in favor and seven against, underlined the need to “reach as soon as possible a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations”. ,
Explaining the vote after the resolution was adopted, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj said that as the General Assembly marks one year of the Ukrainian conflict, “It is important that we ask ourselves some pertinent questions.
Are we close to a possible solution acceptable to both sides? Can any process that involves neither side ever lead to a credible and meaningful solution? Has the UN system, and in particular its core organ, the UN Security Council, based on its 1945 world creation, not been rendered ineffective in addressing contemporary challenges to global peace and security? Kamboj said.
He stressed that India is concerned over the situation in Ukraine, noting that the conflict has resulted in loss of countless lives and suffering, especially of women, children and the elderly, with millions rendered homeless and in neighboring countries. have been forced to take refuge. countries. He said that reports of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are also very worrying.
The resolution called on member states and international organizations to redouble support for diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the Charter.
Kamboj described the overall objective of the resolution calling for a lasting peace in line with the UN Charter as “understandable”.
“We note the support for the efforts of the Secretary-General to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, while emphasizing the increased support by Member States for diplomatic efforts to achieve peace. However, reports on the ground paint a complex scenario, with conflict intensifying on multiple fronts.”
Reiterating that India remains firmly committed to multilateralism and upholds the principles of the UN Charter, Kamboj asserted, “We will always call upon dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable way forward.
While we note the stated objectives of today’s resolution, we are constrained to abstain from it, given its inherent limitations in reaching its desired goal of achieving a lasting peace. General Assembly resolutions are not binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, and carry mainly symbolic weight in the United Nations.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, several UN resolutions – in the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Human Rights Council – have condemned the invasion and reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity. has been underlined.
The General Assembly has met six times over the past year in this emergency special session on Ukraine.
India, which shares good relations with Russia, has stayed away from UN resolutions on Ukraine and has consistently underlined the need to respect the UN Charter, international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. New Delhi has also urged that all efforts be made for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an immediate return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.
Kamboj said New Delhi has consistently advocated that no solution can ever be found at the cost of human lives.
In this context, he said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that this era of war cannot be a “repetition” and underlined that escalation of hostilities and violence is not in anyone’s interest.
“Instead an immediate return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward,” the Indian envoy said.
“India’s approach to the Ukraine conflict will continue to be people-centred. We are providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic assistance to some of our neighbors in the global South under economic crisis, even as they face rising costs of food, fuel and fertilizers that have been a consequential result of the ongoing conflict. ,” He said.
India asserted that it is unfortunate that as the Ukrainian conflict unfolds, the entire Global South has to face unintended consequences. It is important that the voices of the Global South are heard and their legitimate concerns duly addressed.
Before the draft resolution was put to vote, the General Assembly considered two amendments to the resolution proposed by Belarus.
The amendment failed to be adopted because more than 90 member states voted against it and more than 50 countries abstained from each. India stayed away from both the amendments. Draft amendments and adoption of the resolution required a 2/3 majority of those present and voting.
(PTI input)
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