India and 57 other countries chose to abstain from a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voting on a resolution seeking Russia’s suspension from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
However, the resolution was adopted by UNGA after 93 nations voted in favor of revoking Russia’s membership. For the resolution to pass, it required the support of two-thirds of the countries to be present, voting in favor. China, including 24 of them, voted against the resolution.
The US and its allies wanted Russia’s suspension from the UNHRC for alleged violations in Bucha, Ukraine. Russia, however, has termed it as a staged act by Ukraine to tarnish Russia and had sought an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to offer clarifications.
With the resolution passed, Russia became the only country other than Libya in 2011 to be suspended from the UNHRC. Earlier, Moscow had warned that it would view abstention in this case as an unfriendly gesture and would hurt bilateral ties.
India has abstained from all resolutions brought forth in the UN against Russia. It has consistently maintained its neutral stance seeking diplomacy and dialogue to end hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. And, on Bucha, India had condemned the violence and asked for an independent probe.
T S Trimurti, India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said India chose to abstain for reasons of both ‘substance and reason’ and called upon the United Nations to ensure that its decisions fully respect the due process.
Image Source: TOI