It was a matter of coincidence that the conflict in Ukraine commenced while the UNSC was meeting on the matter. It took almost everyone by surprise, including the UN secretary general. Europe and the West reacted with outrage. Many of their permanent representatives, faced with an unprecedented situation on their "home turf", became abrasive. And when India decided to abstain on the first vote in the Security Council on February 27, there was much consternation and anger.
But our decision of February 27 was not taken lightly. As we mentioned in our Explanation of Vote, "taking into consideration the totality of the circumstances, we have decided to abstain." Over the last several months, we have done exactly that taken decisions keeping the totality of the circumstances and our own national interests in mind. India advocated the same for this conflict as we have done elsewhere immediate cessation of hostilities and return to path of dialogue and diplomacy.
Considerable pressure was brought to bear on India both in Delhi and in New York. We faced pushback from our friends. It was in the midst of all this that UN Secretary General Guterres saw an opportunity in India's balanced stand.
He mentioned to me that India, as a democracy with a strong leadership, was in a unique position to talk to both sides. He requested our leadership to do so and underline the need for an immediate ceasefire and return to negotiations.
This was completely in line with our own stand and that of the PM. PM Modi himself spoke to the Russian and Ukrainian presidents on many occasions. While neither side may have come to the negotiation point yet, a bridging role for India to resolve the conflict is still on the cards.
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