India’s abstention decision on UN vote on Russia is balanced and right

India has once again stuck to its neutral position on Russia-Ukraine war and abstained on the UN General Assembly resolution urging Russia to immediately halt hostilities and withdraw its troops from Ukraine.

India’s position, although it may be seen as being in sync with China’s position, has been consistent and springs from its own geopolitical positioning and long-term national interests.

The resolution received 141 yes votes from the 193 member countries, 7 no votes, and 32 abstentions, including those from China and India.

In the past UNGA resolutions, India has often refrained from voting against Russia and has instead stressed the value of peace through diplomatic channels.

The importance of establishing a full, equitable, and long-lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with the UN Charter was emphasized in the resolution. Moreover, it urged all parties to step up their support for diplomatic initiatives to bring about such a settlement.

Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago, and it has since done enormous damage.

Throughout the course of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, an estimated 100,000 Ukrainian military have been killed or injured, while countless civilians have also perished.

Almost 8 million Ukrainians have also been displaced by the war, which has also devastated roads, bridges, houses, and electrical lines.

Russia has not disclosed the whole magnitude of its losses, although a comparison with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan indicates that between 80,000 and 150,000 Russian soldiers may have perished.

Wide-ranging repercussions of the war include the disruption of global supply systems and a substantial rise in the cost of food and gasoline.

Several nations, including South Asia, have experienced inflation and economic disasters.

It’s possible that China may emerge as the ultimate winner as the West and Russia prolong their battle over Ukraine.

China is now trying to emerge as a peacemaker between Ukraine and Russia. It has abstained from voting on UN resolutions that were hostile to Russia.

High-ranking Chinese officials recently visited Moscow and enthusiastically praised Russia in their speeches.

But, China is anxious about the protracted war, since a weaker Russia will be of little aid in Beijing’s challenge to American supremacy.

Although it is unclear if the Ukrainians would accept China as a neutral party, these worries may be what motivates Beijing’s interest in serving as a peace mediator.

India’s position is more nuanced and it may not be that willing to play the role of a peacemaker. However, India would definitely want to preserve its unique friendship with Russia at any cost and would try its best to withstand pressure from the West to sacrifice its own interests and junk Russia.

Those Indians who are criticizing India’s hard-nosed neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war should pay attention to India’s troubled past relationship with the West.

It is not in India’s interests to sacrifice its friendly relationship with Russia just because the Western nations would like it to do so.