Not taking sides: Hindu editorial on India and Ukraine conflict

The UN General Assembly, with a majority of 141 out of 193 countries, voted on Wednesday for a resolution condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine in “the strongest terms” and calling for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops. The resolution, which was discussed in a rare special emergency session and implemented decades later under the rubric of a “united for peace” resolution, came as a result of a repealed resolution in the United Nations Security Council, which Russia, as a permanent member, had to offer. In, vetoed. While the UNGA resolution has little teeth, it represents a common stance taken by the international public general, with 96 countries signing the resolution as co-sponsors. Russia dismissed the result as a political vote that had come under severe “pressure” from the US and European countries that were the drivers of the resolution, but it was clear that it was isolated on the global stage. Belarus, Eritrea, North Korea and Syria voted against the resolution and 35, including India, did not participate. While the resolution also rejected the Russian decision to recognize Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states, representatives of the member states made it clear that it was the relentless bombing of Ukrainian cities that they could not turn a blind eye to.

The boycott of India, no wonder, disappointed many Westerners who have been lobbying for a change in the Indian position. In the past week, India has kept away from three votes (including two procedural) at the UNSC, where it is an elected member, one at the UN Human Rights Council, and the other at the IAEA on Russia’s key resolutions. In the Interpretation of the Vote (EOV), India’s UN representative said India is calling for dialogue, while officials say India’s boycott has given it room to play a role in diplomacy with Russia and Ukraine. In a sign of some discomfort with Russian actions, the EOV also removed earlier references to “legitimate security interests”, and included language on respecting the “territorial sovereignty” of members. India has also sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine, although its vote of boycott indicates that the Modi government still has many reasons not to vote against Russia, a strategic and defense partner that India stands by. As the conflict continues, and the global community expresses its disapproval, however, India’s willingness to remain a “blocking” power is being questioned. The government has also said that it needs to maintain good relations with both sides as its primary focus is on the safe evacuation of Indians from the conflict zone. While evacuation of Indians is an important priority, given the aspirations of the global leadership and the oft-quoted motto of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, it cannot be India’s sole focus in this crisis. It may be necessary for India to engage more deeply with the conflict in Europe, which is now a global concern.