India abstains on UNSC resolution that condemns Russia's 'aggression' against Ukraine
India Today
The UN Security Council voted on Friday on the draft resolution sponsored by the US and Albania and supported by several other nations.
India abstained on a US-sponsored UN Security Council resolution that condemned Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine and demanded "immediate, complete and unconditional" withdrawal of Russian forces from the neighbouring country.
The UN Security Council voted on Friday on the draft resolution sponsored by the US and Albania and supported by several other nations including Poland, Italy, Germany, Estonia, Luxembourg and New Zealand.
Eleven countries voted in favour of the resolution while three countries, including India, abstained.
"India is deeply disturbed by recent turn of developments in Ukraine. We urge that all efforts are made for the immediate cessation of violence & hostilities. No solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said.
"It is a matter of regret that the path of diplomacy was given up. We must return to it. For all these reasons, India has chosen to abstain on this resolution," he added.
A permanent member of the Security Council, Russia used its veto power blocking the resolution, as expected, but western nations said the resolution seeks to show Moscow's isolation on the global stage for its invasion and actions against Ukraine.
All eyes were on how India will cast its vote on the resolution given that New Delhi has strong defence ties with Moscow.
