On earlier occasions, New Delhi has abstained at the UN Security Council on Ukraine, much to the annoyance of the Western powers led by the United States.
New Delhi: For the first time ever, India on Wednesday against Russia in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during the ‘procedural vote’ on Ukraine which has been facing Russian invasion for the last six months. India’s vote against Russia came in UNSC when the UN invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to address a meeting through a video tele-conference.
This was the first occasion when India has voted against Russia which is being considered it’s a long-term strategic partner. On earlier occasions, New Delhi has abstained at the UN Security Council on Ukraine, much to the annoyance of the Western powers led by the United States. India is a non-permanent member of UNSC which is the strong body of the UN.
According to the reports, Russia’s ambassador at UN Vassily A Nebenzia urged for a ‘procedural voting’ for participation of the Ukrainian President in the meeting. The UN council extended an invitation to Zelensky to participate in the meeting via video tele-conference by a vote of 13 in favour to one against. The Russian ambassador reportedly said that his country does not oppose Zelensky’s participation, but such participation must be in-person. Meanwhile China abstained from the meeting.
Zelensky, in his speech, called for the Russian Federation to be held accountable for its crimes of aggression against his country. “If Moscow is not stopped now, then all these Russian murderers will inevitably end up in other countries,” the Ukrainian President said.
Amid Ukraine-Russia war, European countries, USA and several other nations have imposed economic sanctions on the latter. India, however, has neither criticised nor supported Russia and has been advocating a diplomatic solution of the whole crisis between the countries. India has always reiterated to establish talks between them so conflict could be resolved.
