Ukraine war: India abstains from UN vote against Russia for the 3rd time in a week

India on Wednesday again abstained from voting against Russia at the UN. While New Delhi supported the international community's call for an immediate ceasefire, it abstained on a UN General Assembly resolution that strongly deplored Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

This is India's third abstention in less than a week in the world body on resolutions against Russian aggression.

In a statement, India's ambassador to UN TS Tirumurti said India has decided to abstain in view of the "totality of the evolving situation"

The 193-member General Assembly Wednesday voted to reaffirm its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and “deplores in the strongest terms” Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

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The resolution was adopted with 141 votes in favour, five Member States voting against and 35 abstentions. The General Assembly broke into an applause as the resolution was adopted.

India demanded “safe and uninterrupted” passage for all its nationals, including students still stranded in Ukraine and cities in the conflict zones.

Reports quoting government sources said that a "lot of background negotiations with Russians have been going on. Now Russians, in fact, are helping India in evacuation".