India demands dialogue on the Ukraine crisis but abstains from the 'Procedural ' vote at UNSC

India demands dialogue on the Ukraine crisis but abstains from the ‘Procedural ‘ vote at UNSC. 

India Monday demanded “diplomatic dialogue” during a heated meeting about the Ukraine crisis at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). 

Indian Envoy to United Nations T S Tirumurti said, “I renew our appeal for a peaceful resolution to the conflict through genuine and persistent diplomacy to make sure that the concerns of all parties are addressed by positive dialogue.”

Before the meeting, Russia requested the vote in a procedural manner on whether to hold the US-initiated meeting. India, Gabon, and Kenya abstained from the vote, which called for the holding of the meeting.

Russia and China have voted against the event. However, the US attempt to hold the meeting was successful. It got 10 votes across the US, France, UK, Brazil, Albania, Ghana, Norway, Mexico, UAE, and Ireland.

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Nine votes were needed for the gathering to take place. The Russian official at the UN acknowledged the countries that abstained and did not vote to hold the meeting at the UNSC in his address.

The summit comes when Russia and the West, under the leadership of America the United States, have been on the brink of war over Ukraine.

Russia has gathered troops along their border to Ukraine and the West concerned about a possible attack, which Moscow has rejected. 

The Indian representative said, “India’s goal is to find an answer that allows an immediate stop to the escalation of tensions while taking into consideration the legitimate security interests of all nations” and “aimed to ensure long-term peace and stability across the region as well as beyond.”

Russia is seeking security guarantees of the West, such as assurances that Ukraine will not join in the NATO alliance. 

Numerous discussions have been held between Russia and the US in the wake of the conflict, including one held with US Secretary of State Blinken and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.

The Indian representative requested “Quiet as well as constructive diplomacy” and avoided “any actions that could cause tension” and praised efforts such as those in the Minsk agreement and the Normandy format. 

Minsk agreement was signed in 2014 between Russia, Ukraine, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and calls for a ceasefire to the eastern part of Ukraine and gives autonomy to the Russian-speaking regions. 

Normandy format, with Germany, Russia, Ukraine, and France as the main components, was crucial in drafting the Minsk agreement.

At the conference, ambassador Tirumurti made it clear that the “well-being of Indian nationals is of paramount importance our concern.” 

More than 20 thousand Indian students and nationals reside and study across different regions of Ukraine and even in the border regions. 

Indian Mission in Kyiv is beginning to collect information on the number of Indian citizens living in Ukraine.

The envoy further confirmed that New Delhi has been in “touch with all parties concerned.” 

The month of January witnessed US Secretary of State Deputy Wendy Sherman calling Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla to discuss the matter.

Three Indo-Russia talks took place during that same month. These discussions include Russian Deputy FM Sergei Ryabkov meeting Indian envoy to Russia Pavan Kapoor and Russian Deputy FM Sergey Vershinin calling Indian envoy Kapoor and Vershinin’s Delhi visit to have discussions in the presence of Secretary West Reenat Sandhu. Russia will become the President of the UNSC in February.