New Delhi: India on Wednesday abstained from a procedural vote taken in the UN Security Council to call for a rare special emergency session of the UN General Assembly on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
“We remain firm in our conviction that differences can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. PM Narendra Modi has unequivocally conveyed this in his discussions with world leaders, including of the Russian Federation and Ukraine,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador TS Tirumurti said in the explanation of Wednesday’s vote.
Tirumurti called for “safe and uninterrupted passage” for all Indians stranded in Ukraine and said that this remains India’s “foremost priority”. “We demand safe and uninterrupted passage for all Indian nationals, including our students, who are still stranded in Ukraine, particularly from Kharkiv and other cities in conflict zones. Many member states share this concern. We have reiterated this demand to both the Russian Federation and Ukraine. This remains our foremost priority,” Tirumati said.
“India urges all Member states demonstrate their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, to international law and respect for soverignity and territorial integrity of all states,” Tirumurti said.
India abstained on the vote today in the UN General Assembly emergency special session resolution on #Ukraine.
Our Statement on Explanation of Vote ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/5Y0KF1DGUu
— PR/Amb T S Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) March 2, 2022
The United Nations (UN) Wednesday approved its resolution condemning Russia for its move against Ukraine. The vote saw 141 countries in favour, five against and 35 abstaining including India.
