UN RESOLUTION CONDEMNING RUSSIAN AGGRESSION

• Recently, the United Nation Security Council voted on the draft resolution by the US and Albania that sought to condemn Russian aggression and called for the immediate cessation of violence and withdrawal of Russian military from Ukraine.
• The Council’s resolution reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
• The resolution “deplores in the strongest terms Russia’s aggression against Ukraine” and decides that Russia “shall immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine and shall refrain from any further unlawful threat or use of force against any UN member state”.
• The original version was too strong, as it invoked UN Chapter VII, which authorises the use of force against Russian troops in Ukraine.
• It also asked Russia to “immediately and unconditionally reverse the decision related to the status of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine”.
• The resolution did not pass since the permanent member and President of the Security Council for the month of February Russia, used its veto.
• The resolution received 11 votes in favour and three abstentions. China and India both abstained. 

India’s Stand on the Current Crisis

• India is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine. India urged that all efforts shall be made for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities.
• Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment. It is a matter of regret that the path of diplomacy was given up.
• With this India has managed to hold its balancing act again, despite the considerable pressures from the West to vote against Russia, as well as pressures from Russia to support it.
• Earlier in January 2022, India abstained from a vote on whether to hold a discussion on the Ukraine situation, and also indicated support for Russia’s legitimate security interests.
• India has been in touch with all sides, urging parties concerned to return to the negotiating table.

India’s Dilemma

• India’s strategic ambivalence at this big turning point in world geopolitics is born out of its friendships and strategic partnerships on both sides.
• Russia is India’s biggest and time tested supplier of defence weapons. Despite its growing friendship with China, Russia has boosted India’s defence capabilities with the S-400 air defence system.
• India’s Defence Minister visited Russia at the height of India’s crisis with the Chinese Army at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in June 2020. And Russia has stood behind India at the UNSC on all issues.
• At the same time, India has a deep partnership with the United States, which includes defence pacts, trade and investment, technology, and not least, a huge connection through the Indian diaspora and people to people contacts.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT