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The Times of India
The Times of India
National
TIMESOFINDIA.COM

India abstains on UNGA resolution calling for Russia to pay reparations to Ukraine

NEW DELHI: The UN General Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution calling for Russia to be held accountable for violations of international law and for the creation of a repatriation and a remedy mechanism for damages caused by its invasion of Ukraine.

A total of 94 countries voted in favour of the resolution. As was widely expected, India abstained during the voting. Not only India, but a total of 73 nations abstained during the voting.

India has mostly abstained on resolutions related to the Russia-Ukraine war in the UN, including in the Security Council, General Assembly and the Human Rights Council.

Apart from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka were among those who abstained during the voting.

A total of 14 nations voted against the resolution. China, Belarus, North Korea, Iran, Russia and Syria were among 14 nations which voted against the resolution.

The resolution recognized that Russia "must be held to account for any violations of international law in or against Ukraine, including its aggression in violation of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as any violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and that it must bear the legal consequences of all of its internationally wrongful acts, including making reparation for the injury, including any damage, caused by such acts."

It recognized the need for establishment, in cooperation with Ukraine, of an international mechanism for reparation for damage, loss or injury, and arising from the "internationally wrongful acts of the Russian Federation in or against Ukraine."

India, in its explanation of vote after the draft was adopted, questioned whether a reparation process would contribute towards efforts at resolving the conflict and cautioned against precedents being set through such resolutions.

"We need to objectively consider whether a reparation process through a vote in the General Assembly would contribute to efforts at a resolution of the conflict. Moreover, the legal validity of such a process by a General Assembly resolution remains unclear," India's permanent representative at the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said.

She said "we must, therefore, not create mechanisms or set precedents, without adequate international legal vetting, that have implications for the future functioning of the UN and the international economic system. We need to avoid steps which preclude or endanger the possibility of dialogue and negotiations and from bringing this protracted conflict to an early end."

Since the start of the Ukraine conflict, India's bilateral ties with Russia have come under the scanner of the West for a surge in oil imports from sanctions-hit Moscow.

Notably, India has not condemned Russia since the start of the conflict and has maintained its independent position. On UN forums, New Delhi has consistently advocated for a cessation of violence, peace, and diplomacy.

(With inputs from agencies)

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