INDIA ABSTAIN FROM ‘UN VOTE’ FOR RESOLUTION BY UKRAINE.

On Thursday, the [UNGA] united nation general assembly adopted a resolution tabled by Ukraine on humanitarian consequences of the aggression by Russia and India abstained on two of the resolution that was adopted in the 193- member assembly. The first was on the resolution proposed by Ukraine that held Russia responsible for the crisis, which was adopted with the support of 140 members out of 193 in the united nation general assembly and the second was related to the procedural votes which were proposed by South Africa, for action at all which was not put on the vote for the reason that, it did not have sufficient votes from the members of UNGA. India had called for a peaceful settlement of the disputes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Australia and Japan which makes up the quad along with India and the US, have criticized Russia’s aggression. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas Greenfield tweeted that ‘‘in a unified protest vote’’, 23 members of the security council abstained from Russia’s resolution deflecting blame for the humanitarian crisis it has created in Ukraine. And in the explanation of the vote, Thomas Greenfield said that it is really ‘‘unconscionable’’ that Russia would have the audacity to put forward a resolution asking the international community to solve a humanitarian crisis. India’s permanent representative to the UN Ambassador T S Trimurti said in the explanation of the vote that ‘‘We firmly believe effort at the United Nations should contribute to the de-escalation of the conflict, facilitate the immediate cessation of hostilities to promote dialogue and diplomacy and bring together the parties to find an immediate end to the suffering of the people because the humanitarian situation continues to make it worse, particularly in the conflict in urban areas. Trimurti pointed out that women, children and the elderly are disproportionately affected by the prolonging of conflict, and this conflict has resulted in the death of a large number of civilians, and nearly 10 million people have either been displaced internally or moved to the neighbour countries.

Trimurti also traced that there is an urgent need to address the humanitarian needs of the population who have to get affected by this conflict. He emphasises that it is pivotal that humanitarian actions are always guided by the principles of humanitarian assistance, which says about humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. And quoted ‘‘These matters should not be politicized.’’ India has already sent over 90 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, including medicines and other essentials relief materials to Ukraine and its neighbour. India is in the process of sending further supplies in the coming days, Trimurti told the assembly. He also said that India has ensured the safe return of about 22,500 Indians from Ukraine through the operation ‘Ganga’ involving 90 flights.