India abstains as UNHRC votes to extend inquiry against Russia

India abstained Tuesday from voting on a UN Human Rights Council resolution that extended by a year the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine that was set up last year to probe human rights violations resulting from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

The resolution was adopted with 28 member-states voting in favour in the 47-member body. India was among the 17 countries that abstained. Only China and Eritrea voted against the resolution. India had abstained last year too when the Council voted for establishing the Inquiry.

India has abstained from voting on all resolutions across UN platforms, including on 6 in the UN General Assembly and 3 in UN Human Rights Council, that condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The latest resolution in the human rights council condemned ``in the strongest possible terms’’ the human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law resulting from Russia’s actions and called for swift and verifiable withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.

While abstaining, India said though that international principles and jurisprudence vest responsibility on parties to the conflict to ensure that civilians and civilian infrastructure are not targeted in situations of armed conflicts.

"The global order that we all subscribe to, is based on International Law, the UN Charter and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states. These principles must be upheld without any exception,’’ said Pawan Badhe, Counsellor in India’s permanent mission to the UN in Geneva, in India’s explanation of vote. Badhe also expressed grave concerns over reports of attacks on civilians and calling for protection of human rights of people in Ukraine.

"We have consistently advocated that no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives. In this context, our Prime Minister’s statement that this cannot be an era of war bears reiteration," he said, recalling PM Narendra Modi’s remarks before President Vladimir Putin.

While emphasising that escalation of hostilities and violence was in no one’s interest, India reiterated its call for urgent return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.

The government also said that the conflict had exacerbated the concerns over food, fertilizer and fuel security, particularly in the developing countries. ``It is necessary for all of us to appreciate the importance of equity, affordability and accessibility to these critical commodities for the Global South,’’ said the official, adding that India was providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic support to its neighbours in the Global South under economic distress.