India abstains from UNSC vote on Myanmar, calls for constructive diplomacy

Source: The post is based on the article “India abstains from UNSC vote on Myanmar, calls for constructive diplomacy” published in The Hindu on 24th December 2022

What is the News?

India along with China and Russia abstained from voting on a resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council(UNSC). The resolution demanded an immediate end to violence in Myanmar and urged the military junta to release political prisoners.

What is happening in Myanmar?

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military toppled Suu Kyi’s elected government in February 2021. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, over 2,500 have been killed in the military’s crackdown on dissent.

What has the United Nations decided to do?

The United Nation’s 15-member Security Council has adopted a resolution demanding an immediate end to violence in Myanmar and urged the military junta to release political prisoners. Twelve members voted in favor while China and Russia abstained from the vote along with India.

Significance: This is the first Security Council resolution adopted in Myanmar in 74 years. The only other resolution on Myanmar was adopted by the Security Council in 1948 when it recommended that the United Nations General Assembly admit Burma (Myanmar) as a member.

Why has India abstained from voting?

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN delivered the explanation of the vote. She said that India believes that the complex situation in Myanmar calls for an approach of “quiet and patient diplomacy”.

Any other course would not help resolve the long-standing issues that have prevented enduring peace, stability, progress, and democratic governance. 

This statement is a marked difference from the statement made in the UNSC in April 2021 when India had “condemned” the violence in Myanmar unleashed after the coup. It had called for the release of prisoners, supported ASEAN efforts, and demanded that Rohingya refugees “displaced” in Bangladesh be rehabilitated in Myanmar at the earliest.