A resolution denouncing and rejecting Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian areas on Wednesday received support from 143 governments during an emergency extraordinary session of the UNGA. 35 nations abstained, while only four supported Russia.
Following its voting behavior on all important resolutions relating to Ukraine since the start of the war, India abstained from the vote. On the other hand, it voiced grave worry about the worsening of the situation in Ukraine, demanded a quick halt to hostilities, reaffirmed its long-standing support for peace, diplomacy, and communication, and pushed for maintaining open lines of communication. Since “other critical issues” were not sufficiently addressed by the resolution, India stated that it would not vote.
The UNGA was presented with the non-binding resolution, “Territorial Integrity of Ukraine: Defending the Principles of the UN Charter,” after Russia vetoed a similar draft language denouncing its referendum and annexation at the UN Security Council.
China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Cuba were among those who did not vote, while North Korea, Syria, Nicaragua, and Belarus were the only four nations to vote against the resolution with Russia. The majority of South Asian nations, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, voted in favor of the resolution denouncing Russia.
India’s permanent representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, explained India’s stance following the vote, stating that India was “extremely worried by the intensification of the violence in Ukraine, especially the targeting of civilian infrastructure and the killings of civilians.” “We have always argued against finding a solution at the expense of human lives. It is not in anyone’s best interest for tensions and violence to escalate. We have pleaded for all measures to be made for a prompt end to hostilities and a swift turn back toward discussion and diplomacy,” Kamboj added.
