India abstain at the UN Vote on Russia again

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India abstained during the voting at the  United Nation General Assembly resolution  titled “on Aggression against Ukraine”.This is the fifth time that India has abstained from voting on Ukraine related resolutions on the UN platform .

• The UN resolution ,deplored in strongest terms the “Russian aggression against Ukraine”. It demanded that  Russia immediately cease use of force in Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw its forces from internationally recognised borders of Ukraine.It also reaffirmed its commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity . It called all the parties to abide by the Minsk agreement in 2014 and 2015.  

• The resolution was supported by 141 members out of 193 countries and 34 countries including China abstained .

• Only  Russia, North Korea,Eritrea, Syria and Belarus voted against the  resolutions.

• The Indian permanent representative to the United Nation, T.S.Tirumurti  presenting government of India policy called for a diplomatic solution to the problem .  

• Russia invaded  Ukraine on 24 February as it is concerned that the Zelensky led Ukrainian  government policy to join  NATO(North Atlantic Treaty  Organization ) military alliance led by the United States threatens the security of Russia .

• India has very close ties with Russia which has consistently supported India on Kashmir, Bangladesh and China. India doesn't want to hurt Russia . 

• The General Assembly vote will not change anything on the ground and it is mainly symbolic in nature .

United Nation General Assembly 

• The United Nation General Assembly  was set up in 1945 under the charter of the United Nation.All the 193 member countries of the United Nation(UN) are members of the General Assembly .
• The General Assembly meets September to December each year (main part), and thereafter, from January to September 

Function of the General Assembly 

It can recommend policies or programmes to the member states but the member countries  are not bound to legally follow it . 

• It has basically moral power in nature as it represents the voice of the world. 

• However the member countries have to follow the decision of the UN Security Council.

Some of the important functions of the General Assembly are as follows :

It can 

• take action in cases of a threat to the peace, breach of peace or act of aggression, when the Security Council has failed to act owing to the negative vote of a permanent member.

• Elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council and the members of other United Nations councils and organs and, on the recommendation of the Security Council, appoint the Secretary-General

• Consider and make recommendations on the general principles of cooperation for maintaining international peace and security, including disarmament

• Discuss any question relating to international peace and security and, except where a dispute or situation is currently being discussed by the Security Council, make recommendations on it

• Make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of any situation that might impair friendly relations among countries

 Decision making process in the  General Assembly  

• Unlike the Security Council where five permanent members , Russia, China, US, France and UK can veto any resolution,in the General Assembly no country has any veto power in the General Assembly

• Every country has one vote.

• On certain Important issues  like recommendations on peace and security, the election of Security Council and Economic and Social Council members, and budgetary questions, two third majority of the member states are required for other matters; a simple majority is required .

Facts important for Exam 

• The President of the UN General Assembly is elected every year. 
• The current Chairman is  Abdulla Shahid of Maldives 
• Vijay Lakshmi Pandit became the first Indian and a woman to be the President of the UN General Assembly in 1953,
• The Headquarters of the UN: New York,United States of America 
• The Secretary General of the UN :António Guterres  of Portugal 
• For a detailed Understanding of the conflict in Ukraine kindly see our blog  on Russian -Ukraine Conflict