For the first time since the attack in Ukraine, India opposes Russia at the UN
The United Nations Security Council in New York, at the UN headquarters (illustration image).
© John Minchillo/AP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
India voted on Wednesday August 24 against a Russian position at the UN.
Russia was opposed to Volodymyr Zelensky's virtual participation in a summit for the six months of the conflict, while India was in favor.
This small first should however have no impact on Indian neutrality in the conflict.
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With our correspondent in Bangalore
,
Côme Bastin
During this United Nations
Security
Council, of which India is a non-permanent member until December, the question was about the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Russia demanded his physical presence in New York.
During a vote on its virtual participation, Russia therefore voted against, while China abstained, and India voted for.
A first symbolic dissension commented on in the Indian press, but which Nandan Unnikrishnan, specialist in relations with Russia, calls to put into perspective.
"
To show that India can be independent
"
“
It's a procedural vote.
It is therefore a way for India to show that it can be independent.
India can afford it on some issues but not on others.
India still refuses to condemn Russian aggression
,” he explains.
The Indian Foreign Ministry also denied on Thursday having voted against Russia, saying that the two countries were for the participation of Volodymyr Zelensky.
For Nandan Unnikrishnan, India's position of non-alignment could however be difficult to maintain in the long term.
“
The new world that we see emerging promises to be bipolar.
If it escalates, India could be forced to join the Western bloc,
” he continued.
During the UN council, India called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.
This Thursday, she confirmed the shipment of a twelfth humanitarian shipment to Ukraine containing pharmaceutical equipment.
►Also listen: War in Ukraine: how to explain India's "neutrality"?
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