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- India, along with Russia and China, abstained from a UN Security Council resolution criticising Myanmar’s military regime, and instead called for “quiet, patient” and “constructive” diplomacy with the junta.
- The vote, which marked the first Security Council resolution on the situation in Myanmar in decades, and in particular, since the military overthrew the National Unity Government (NUG) in February 2021, demanded an end to the violence and the release of all political prisoners, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
- The resolution (S/RES/2669 (2022)) proposed by the United Kingdom, which was passed by 12 votes, made several references to the importance of the “ASEAN” process, referring to the “five-point consensus” passed by the 10-nation Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) last year.
- “We believe that the complex situation in Myanmar calls for an approach of quiet and patient diplomacy.
- Any other course will not help in resolving the long-standing issues which have prevented enduring peace, stability, progress and democratic governance,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, said.
- She added that the Resolution would only “entrench” the parties concerned in Myanmar, and its neighbours such as India would be among those most affected by the instability in that country.
- India’s abstention is being criticised by human rights advocates in Myanmar as indicative of a soft position on the junta that has not only imprisoned most of the democratic leadership but has also prosecuted them on charges of treason.
- In an interview to The Hindu this month, Indonesian Foreign Minister RetnoMarsudi appealed to India to “support ASEAN efforts”, adding that distancing from the ASEAN-led process would not be effective in helping Myanmar.
- Kamboj complimented the U.K. for taking the views of Myanmar’s neighbours and ASEAN countries into account while drafting the UNSC resolution but said India could not support it.
- “Quiet and constructive diplomacy is the desirable recourse for seeking constructive and enduring solutions in Myanmar… In view of these concerns and our firm commitment to the democratic process and the well-being of the people in Myanmar, India has decided to abstain on this Resolution,” she said.
SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB
