For the first time, India votes against Russia in UNSC during procedural vote on Ukraine

Tags: International News

India for the first time on August 24 voted against Russia during a “procedural vote” at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Ukraine. 

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• The UNSC held a meeting to take stock of the six-month-old Russia-Ukraine conflict on the 31st anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

• A procedural vote was requested regarding the participation of the Ukrainian President in the meeting held by video tele-conference.

• The 15-member UNSC invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address a meeting through a video tele-conference.

• This is the first time India has voted against Russia on the Ukraine-Russia issue since Russian military action began in February.

• So far, India has not participated in the UN Security Council on Ukraine due to the displeasure of the Western powers led by the United States.

• Western countries, including the US, have imposed major economic and other sanctions on Russia after the attack on Ukraine.

• India has so far not criticised Russia for its aggression against Ukraine.

• India has repeatedly called on Russia and Ukraine to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue.

• India has also expressed its support for all diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between the two countries.

About UNSC :

• It was established in 1945 by the United Nations Charter.

• It is one of the six major organs of the United Nations.

• The other 5 organs of the United Nations are - the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat.

• It has five permanent members - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, collectively known as the P5. 

• India is currently a non-permanent member of the UNSC for a two-year term, which expires in December.

• Any one of them can veto a resolution.

• Headquarters - New York