<p>The resolution prepared by European members of the United Nations Security Council and supported by the United States was blocked by Russia and China exercising their veto power against the resolution.<br /><br />Announcing the abstention, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Hardeep Puri said: “The resolution does not accommodate our concern about threat of sanctions. <br /><br />“It does not condemn the violence perpetrated by the Syrian opposition. Nor does it place any responsibility on the opposition to abjure violence and engage with the Syrian authorities for redressal of their grievances through a peaceful political process.”<br /><br />Rational approach<br /><br />Appealing for a more rational approach, Puri further asserted that “the actions of the international community should facilitate an engagement of the Syrian government and the opposition in a Syrian-led inclusive political process and not complicate the situation by threats of sanctions, regime change, etc.”<br /><br />The Indian representative further asked the international community to give more time and space to the Syrian government to implement the far-reaching reform measures announced for which Puri said “it is also necessary that the opposition forces in Syria give up the path of armed insurrection and engage constructively with the authorities.”<br /><br />The resolution threatening sanctions against the Arab country was rejected by a 9-2 vote. <br /><br />There were four abstentions, including India. Brazil, South Africa and Lebanon were the other countries, who abstained on the vote.<br /><br />Second time<br /><br />This was the second time, when India abstained on a West-inspired resolution against an Arab government in last one year. Earlier, India abstained to vote on a resolution on Libya and now on Syria.<br /><br />While on one hand India’s abstention on Syria witnessed its divergence from the United States on the situation unfolding in Arab countries, it demonstrated a consensus among the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA).<br /><br />Last month an IBSA delegation had travelled to Syria for talks with President Bashar al-Assad.</p>
<p>The resolution prepared by European members of the United Nations Security Council and supported by the United States was blocked by Russia and China exercising their veto power against the resolution.<br /><br />Announcing the abstention, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Hardeep Puri said: “The resolution does not accommodate our concern about threat of sanctions. <br /><br />“It does not condemn the violence perpetrated by the Syrian opposition. Nor does it place any responsibility on the opposition to abjure violence and engage with the Syrian authorities for redressal of their grievances through a peaceful political process.”<br /><br />Rational approach<br /><br />Appealing for a more rational approach, Puri further asserted that “the actions of the international community should facilitate an engagement of the Syrian government and the opposition in a Syrian-led inclusive political process and not complicate the situation by threats of sanctions, regime change, etc.”<br /><br />The Indian representative further asked the international community to give more time and space to the Syrian government to implement the far-reaching reform measures announced for which Puri said “it is also necessary that the opposition forces in Syria give up the path of armed insurrection and engage constructively with the authorities.”<br /><br />The resolution threatening sanctions against the Arab country was rejected by a 9-2 vote. <br /><br />There were four abstentions, including India. Brazil, South Africa and Lebanon were the other countries, who abstained on the vote.<br /><br />Second time<br /><br />This was the second time, when India abstained on a West-inspired resolution against an Arab government in last one year. Earlier, India abstained to vote on a resolution on Libya and now on Syria.<br /><br />While on one hand India’s abstention on Syria witnessed its divergence from the United States on the situation unfolding in Arab countries, it demonstrated a consensus among the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA).<br /><br />Last month an IBSA delegation had travelled to Syria for talks with President Bashar al-Assad.</p>
