While abstaining from voting in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on a draft resolution to suspend Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), India this time sent out a clear message to both the West and Russia simultaneously.
India’s abstention, on the one hand, was in itself a clear signal to Russia who had warned countries that a “Yes note or abstention would be viewed as an unfriendly gesture with consequences for bilateral ties”. On the other hand, India’s explanation as to why it chose to abstain was another message to the US-led group of the western countries.
In what was a signal to the West, India assertively pointed out that the process to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council was pushed before the “independent international probe” into the Bucha massacres. “New Delhi puts its point across, saying that the entire matter should have been brought before the Human Rights Council in the first place and not before the UNGA. So, the process was not properly followed,” a top diplomatic source told The Daily Guardian. India has already unequivocally condemned the Bucha killings, supporting the call for an independent investigation into the same.
“By abstaining and explaining its decision for abstention like this, India sent out a clear signal that it is sticking to what is just and fair. Also, its stand is guided by the principle that it is on the side of peace. It is not taking anyone’s side, as it abstained despite Moscow’s clear warning,” he says. Sources also told this newspaper, that the Russian ambassador and other senior diplomats reached out to senior Indian officials a few hours before the voting in a bid to convince New Delhi to vote against the resolution.
“It was decided at a high-level meeting at South Block that the Indian position would remain unchanged and it would go ahead with abstention despite various signals from Russia and the West pressurising New Delhi to take their sides,” a highly-placed official said. “The top leadership of the country is clear that India will not succumb to any pressure, be it from the US or from Russia or from any other quarter over the Ukraine situation,” he said. Ahead of voting, Washington had also warned New Delhi against consequences if it aligned with Moscow. That India is
at the forefront of human rights issues is the message given by New Delhi, he added.
The suspension of Russia from the UN body was carried out with 93 nations voting in favour of it and 24 against. There were 58 abstentions. Citing reasons for its decision, India said, “We do so for reasons of both substance and process.”
“Since the inception of the Ukrainian conflict, India has stood for peace, dialogue and diplomacy. We believe that no solution can be arrived at by shedding blood and at the cost of innocent lives. If India has chosen any side, it is the side of peace and it is for an immediate end to violence,” India said.
“We continue to remain deeply concerned at the worsening situation and reiterate our call for an end to all hostilities. When innocent human lives are at stake, diplomacy must prevail as the only viable option,” said Indian envoy to the United Nations, T.S. Tirumurti.