India votes against Russia at United Nations Security Council on Ukraine issues

In the first in-person meeting of the United Nations Security Council, India voted against Russia on the Ukraine issue for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine in February. 

Till now, India had abstained from voting on Ukraine issues at the UN Security Council even as Western powers led by the United States called for India to raise its voice against the Russian attacks.

Currently, India is a non-permanent member of the UNSC for a two-year term ending in December this year.

On Wednesday, Going against Russia’s invasion, India joined 12 other members of the UNSC to vote for inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to speak via a remote video link.

However, China abstained from the voting and Russia naturally voted against the invitation, but because it was a procedural matter it did not count as a veto.

While speaking at the meeting, India’s Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj stuck to New Delhi’s distinctive version of neutrality in the Ukraine conflict. The meeting took place on a day of twin import for Ukraine — its independence day as well as six months since Russia launched its ongoing invasion of Kyiv on February 24.

Although India has not criticized Russia for its aggression against Ukraine, western nations including the US, have imposed major economic and other sanctions on Russia following the aggression.

India has repeatedly called upon the Russian and Ukrainian sides for diplomacy and dialogue, and also expressed its support for all diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between them.