India did not participate in the UN Human Rights Council vote on a resolution that extended the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine's (IICIU) mandate, which was established last year to look into human rights abuses brought on by Russia's aggression against Ukraine, by one year.
In the 47-member body, the resolution was approved with the support of 28 member states. The 17 nations that did not vote included India. The resolution was only defeated by China and Eritrea. When the Council voted to create the Commission of Investigation, India also voted with a blank ballot.
India, which abstained, stated that it is the obligation of the parties to the conflict to ensure that people and civilian infrastructure are not targeted in instances of armed conflict in accordance with international standards and jurisprudence.
“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 the vote. Badhe also expressed grave concerns over reports of attacks on civilians and calling for protection of human rights of people in Ukraine.
While emphasising that escalation of hostilities and violence is 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, fertiliser and fuel security, particularly in the developing countries.