India abstains on UN resolution that condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine, explains move

India abstained from voting on a UN Security Council resolution that condemned Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine and demanded the withdrawal of Russian forces from the neighbouring country.

The UN Security Council voted on Friday on the draft resolution sponsored by the US and Albania and supported by several other nations including Poland, Italy, Germany, Estonia, Luxembourg and New Zealand.

Eleven countries voted in favour of the resolution while three countries, including India, abstained.

Afterwards, India’s envoy to the UN T S Tirumurti provided an explanation of vote (EOV) that laid out the rationale behind India’s stance in the matter.