Why India Abstained From Voting On UN Resolution On Ukraine

New Delhi: While abstaining from voting on the US-sponsored resolution against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the UN Security Council, India said that dialogue was the only way to settle differences and disputes.

“India is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine. We urge that all efforts are made for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said.

“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,” Tirumurti said.

The resolution received 11 votes in favour and three abstentions, including by India, China and the UAE. Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, vetoed the resolution.

“Let me make one thing clear,” US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after the vote. “Russia, you can veto this resolution, but you cannot veto our voices, you cannot veto the truth, you cannot veto our principles, you cannot veto the Ukrainian people.”