India, on early Saturday morning, abstained from voting on a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Russia's attacks on Ukraine, but called for an end to hostilities.
The vote saw 11 member of the 15-member UN Security Council vote in favor of the resolution. Alongside India, China and the UAE abstained from the vote. Russia, as a permanent member, vetoed the resolution.
Shortly after the vote, India issued a statement explaining its position.
“Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment,” India's permanent representative at the UN, T S Tirumurti said in a tweet. “It is a matter of regret that the path of diplomacy was given up. We must return to it.”
India highlighted that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
“No solution can ever be arrived at, at the cost of human lives,” Tirumurti said.
In UN Security Council meeting on #Ukraine today, India abstained on the vote on draft resolution.
February 25, 2022
Our Explanation of Vote ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/w0yQf5h2wrSeeking immediate cessation of violence and hostilities during the recent turn of events in Ukraine, India asked all member states to find a “constructive” way forward.
Advertisement"We are also deeply concerned about the welfare and security of the Indian community, including a large number of Indian students, in Ukraine," Tirumurti explained.
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