India abstains from UN vote against Russia:

India abstains from UN vote against Russia:

Subject: Polity

Context:

• India abstained in the UN General Assembly on a draft resolution seeking to hold Russia accountable for violations of international law by its invasion of Ukraine and requiring it to pay reparations for damage, loss and injury resulting from the war.

What was the resolution all about;

• The draft resolution, “Furtherance of remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine” was  introduced by Ukraine, was adopted on in the 193-member UN General Assembly.
• 94 voted in favour, 14 against and 73 remain absent, including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
• Belarus, China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Russia and Syria voted against the resolution.

What was India Explanation:

• India, in its explanation of the vote, questioned whether reparations would contribute towards efforts at resolving the conflict and cautioned against

precedents.

• Moreover the legal validity of such a process by a General Assembly resolution remains unclear.

Are UNGA resolution binding on the members:

• Except concerning UN budgetary matters and instructions to lower UN bodies, General Assembly resolutions are non-binding.
• The resolutions are the expression of member states’ views, and are not legally binding upon member states.