India on Monday abstained from the procedural vote at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) ahead of a meeting to discuss the situation on the Ukraine border.
Ten member states, namely the US, UK, France, UAE, Ghana, Albania, Norway, Brazil, Mexico and Ireland, voted in favor of taking up the Ukraine issue. On the other hand, only two member states – Russia and China – voted against it.
Meanwhile, three member states – India, Gabon and Kenya – abstained from the vote.
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The Security Council only required nine votes in favor to go ahead with the discussion.
India’s representative to the UNSC, in a statement, said, “We have been closely following the evolving developments relating to Ukraine, including through ongoing high-level security talks between Russia and the United States, as well as under the Normandy format in Paris.
“India’s interest is in finding a solution that can provide for immediate de-escalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries and aimed towards securing long term peace and stability in the region and beyond. We have also been in touch with all parties concerned. It is our considered view that the issue can only be resolved through diplomatic dialogue,” the statement went on to add.
Watch: Permanent Representative @AmbTSTirumurti speaks at the #UNSC Meeting on ‘Threats to international peace and security (#Ukraine)’ @MeaIndia pic.twitter.com/wFCO1COU2J
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) January 31, 2022
Meanwhile, Russia accused the United States of trying to “create hysteria” over the situation on Ukraine’s borders.
US President Joe Biden responded by warning Russia of “severe consequences” should Moscow “walk away from diplomacy”.
“If Russia is sincere about addressing our security concerns through dialogue, the US and our allies will continue to engage in good faith. If instead Russia attacks Ukraine, it’ll bear the responsibility and face swift and severe consequences,” US President Joe Biden said.
Russia has reportedly amassed an estimated 1,00,000 troops near its border with Ukraine. While Moscow denies that it has any plans to invade Ukraine, the mobilization of troops along the Ukrainian border has resulted in repeated warnings from NATO member states.
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