Vote against Russia is India’s vote for diplomacy

 

By Rahul Dixit 

India's decision to break the series of abstentions on Ukraine in the United Nations and vote against Russia in support of Ukrainian President Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky’s address in the Security Council cannot be seen as a departure from its earlier stand on the issue.

India has remained a vocal supporter of diplomacy and talks as the only way out to resolve the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine that has now entered seventh month. On previous occasions, New Delhi had abstained from voting on the issue in the UNSC citing neutrality as its valid stand on the conflict.

The change this time is the decision to vote for a cause which again is in line with India's traditional position. Mr. Zelensky’s request to address the Security Council through a video tele-conference is in accordance with the democratic rights of a national head who wants to put his position before the world. New Delhi has been calling for such initiatives which can easily pave the way for diplomatic dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv with active participation of UNSC members.

On its part, India has remained in constant touch with the two warring nations while urging for negotiations to end the long conflict. New Delhi never shied away from criticising the civilian deaths in Ukrainian towns even as it continued to offer humanitarian help to the country. The vote against Russia in the UNSC has come from the same humane consideration.