India’s vote against Russia during ‘procedural vote’

India’s vote against Russia during ‘procedural vote’

News: India for the first time voted against Russia during a “procedural vote” at the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine.

About:
• India has voted for a procedural matter that Russiaopposed at the UN Security Council.
• Going against Moscow's stance, India joined 12 other members of the Council to vote for inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to speak via a remote video link.
• While speaking at the meeting, India's Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj stuck to New Delhi's distinctive version of neutrality in the Ukraine conflict.

What has been India’s stand so far?
• India has not criticized Russia for its aggression against Ukraine. It is still on its ‘NEUTRAL’ approach.
• It wants both the countries to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue.
• It has also expressed its support for all diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between the two countries.

How has our approach helped?
• India has showcased fullest expression of strategic autonomy. It is a posture that relies on diplomatic activism, geopolitical pragmatism, prioritizing national interests over bloc politics and maintaining good relationships with all sides so that these relationships can be leveraged to eke out the best possible outcome for India, even amid moments of global turmoil.
• India has attracted global attention with its neutral approach. It has emerged as a big and strategically important swing state.
• India sees bloc politics as a constraint on its actions and choices.
• India’s stance has invited wrath of the West at times but our Foreign policy has firmly stood for its belief. We have successfully navigated possible Western sanctions while continuing to trade with Russia to meet our domestic needs and global aspirations. Strategic autonomy does help to maximize policy space.

What factors explain India’s muted criticisms of Russia?
• India-Russia relationship is vital to meet oil and energy opportunities.
• Reliance on Russia for weapons and our strategic interests in central Asia.
• India may also be mute in its criticism of Russia in an attempt to mollify Russia and wean it off its increasing dependence on China.