India for the first time votes against Russia during a procedural vote in UN Security

At the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine, India on Wednesday voted against Russia during a procedural vote as the 15-member powerful UN body invites Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to address a meeting through a video teleconference.

After the Russian military action began in February, this is for the first time that India voted against Russia on the issue of Ukraine. Until now, New Delhi has abstained at the UN Security Council on Ukraine, much to the annoyance of the Western powers that are led by the US.

Western nations, including the US, have imposed major economic and other sanctions on Russia following the aggression.

Russia has not been criticized by India for its aggression against Ukraine. New Delhi has frequently called upon the Russian and Ukrainian sides to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue, and also showed its support for all diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between the two countries, NDTV reports.

Currently, India is a non-permanent member of the UNSC for a two-year term, ending in December.

The UNSC on Wednesday holds a meeting to take stock of the now six-month-old conflict on the 31st anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.