India abstains from UN vote deploring Russia's 'aggression' in Ukraine

Agencies | New Delhi

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

India on Saturday abstained on United Nations Security Council resolution that condemned Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine.

At the UNSC meeting, India urged that all efforts be made for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities adding that dialogue is the only answer to settling disputes.

"India is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine. No solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives," India's PR to UN, TS Tirumurti said.

"All member states need to honour these principles in finding a constructive way forward.

Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment.

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.

India also expressed concern about the welfare and security of the Indian community, incl a large number of Indian students in Ukraine.

The UN Security Council voted 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 counties voted in favour of the resolution while three countries, including India, abstained.

Meanwhile, Russia used its veto power to block the resolution but western nations said the resolution seeks to show Moscow's isolation on the global stage for its invasion and actions against Ukraine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called up Russian President Putin and appealed to him for “immediate cessation of violence and return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue”.

Modi also “sensitised the Russian President about India’s concerns regarding the safety of Indian citizens in Ukraine, especially students, and conveyed that India attaches the highest priority to their safe exit and return to India,” the PMO said, even as the Centre scrambled to bring back 16,000 Indian nationals.