new Delhi: India on Wednesday skipped a vote against Russia in the 11th emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly for the third time in which it strongly condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
The 193-member General Assembly voted to reaffirm its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders.
The resolution was accepted by 141 votes in favor, with five member states voting against it and another 35 abstaining from voting, including India, China and Pakistan.
Considering the totality of the changing situation, India decided to abstain from voting against Russia.
Explaining the reason behind the vote, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti, said that India wants a “safe and uninterrupted passage” for its citizens, especially including students from Kharkiv and other conflict zones.
Tirumurti said India has reiterated this demand to both Russia and Ukraine and it is India’s priority.
Supporting the international community’s call for an “immediate ceasefire”, India called for humanitarian access to conflict zones. Tirumurti said India is hopeful that the second round of talks between Russia and Ukraine will yield positive results.
“India urges all member states to demonstrate their commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states,” Tirumurti said.
For example, many of India’s neighbors supported the proposal – Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives. Afghanistan, which is currently run by a terrorist organization (the Taliban), and Myanmar, which is currently ruled by a junta, also voted in favor. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka abstained from voting.
Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzia said Moscow was not attacking civilians and civilian facilities.
Speaking at the emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday, the Russian envoy said Ukraine can have a peaceful landscape when radicals are concerned about preserving civilian lives rather than hiding behind them.
“We are not attacking civilian facilities and civilians. Ukraine can have a peaceful landscape when radicals are concerned about preserving civilian life rather than hiding behind them,” said Vasily Nebenzia.