India has once again abstained from voting on a United Nations General Assembly resolution that condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began a year ago. The resolution received support from 141 nations, while 32 countries, including India, abstained from voting, and seven, including Russia, voted against it.
India reiterated its stance on the invasion, emphasizing the need for peaceful dialogue as the only way to resolve the conflict. Despite mounting pressure to take a firm stand on Russia, India has maintained its strategy of refraining from direct criticism. In the past, India has abstained from similar resolutions both at the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council.
India’s relationship with Russia dates back to the Cold War era, and the two countries share a longstanding bond of trust. Russia remains India’s largest arms supplier, although India has been diversifying its defense portfolio and boosting domestic manufacturing. The countries have also cooperated diplomatically, with Russia exercising its veto power in the UN Security Council over resolutions related to the disputed region of Kashmir.
While India has stressed the importance of the UN Charter, international law, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity in its statements on Ukraine, it has refrained from directly criticizing Russia. India’s abstention from the UN vote on the resolution signifies its reluctance to take a definitive position.
During the UN vote, India’s permanent representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, highlighted the significance of avoiding loss of human lives and emphasized the need for a peaceful solution. The UN resolution called for immediate peace and reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting any Russian claims to the occupied regions. It also demanded the complete withdrawal of Russian military forces from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and called for a cessation of hostilities.
In addition to India, countries such as China, Iran, and South Africa were among the 32 nations that abstained from the vote. The seven countries that voted against the resolution were Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, and Syria.
India’s abstention from the UN resolution reflects its delicate balancing act between maintaining strategic ties with Russia and avoiding direct confrontation with Western countries. The decision highlights the complexities of international diplomacy and India’s cautious approach to the Ukraine conflict.