India abstains from UNGA resolution against Russia

NEW DELHI: India abstained from a resolution in the UN General Assembly that urged Russia to immediately end its operation in Ukraine and urgently withdraw its forces and other unauthorised personnel from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The 193-member UN General Assembly adopted the resolution on Thursday with 99 votes in favour, nine against and 60 abstentions, including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Egypt, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa and Sri Lanka and the Central Asian states. Those who abstained included SCO and BRICS member states.

The resolution was titled "Safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant". The resolution demanded that Russia "immediately cease its aggression against Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders".