India was one of the founding members of the United Nations, including the Security Council. The foreign policy of any country guides its voting pattern in UNSC. During the Cold War era, India was a leading member of the Non-Aligned Country (NAM). India adopted a neutral and independent foreign policy and voted similarly, with peaceful co-existence as the only guiding principle.
India has been a member of the Security Council on eight occasions. The most recent being the 2021-22 membership. During this tenure also, India followed the same traditional policy in voting in the security council. From January 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022, UNSC adopted 88 resolutions. India supported 81 and abstained in 07. Security Council failed to adopt two resolutions, one about Bosnia-Herzegovina and the other about Climate change. India opposed the resolution on climate change, citing that the security council was not the right platform to discuss the issue of climate change.
However, the louder hue and cry has been raised on India’s voting pattern on the issue of the Ukraine Crisis. Ever since the beginning of the Ukraine-Russia conflict in February 2022, there have been 15 meetings of the Security Council; India has abstained from voting except once in September 2022- Voting against human right violation by the Russian army in Ukraine. India has been herself a sufferer of human rights due to state-sponsored terrorism. India vehemently spoke for the observance of international law and human rights. However, India again abstained from voting condemning Russia’s annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson oblast, and Zaporizhzhia oblast.
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This attitude of India has not aligned with Western Bloc, including the USA. India has made its stand clear that it demands all kinds of hostility and the resolution of disputes by diplomacy. The voting pattern of India in the Ukraine Crisis is solely guided by its national interest. India – Russia friendship is a time-tested bond India does not want to weaken. The recent decision of the US administration to provide financial support to Pakistan for the upgradation of F16 fighter aircraft, despite India’s concern, is one example. Moreover, India actively brought the two countries, Ukraine and Russia, to a negotiating table. India’s language has grown more challenging over time and reiterated that India respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.
Hence, the voting pattern of India is prudent, in the national interest, and line with its conventional policy.
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