After some initial vacillation, in a remarkable display of gumption, India voted in favor of the United Nations Security Council resolution that seeks to impose sanctions on the Syrian regime. In voting for the resolution, India alluded to the position of the Arab League, which had endorsed the resolution.
Thanks to the obduracy of China and Russia, the resolution was blocked. But despite this outcome, India's willingness to adopt a firm position on this issue marks a welcome shift in its multilateral diplomacy. It demonstrated that it could play a constructive role in the Security Council and not simply sit on the sidelines avoiding any possible risks when endorsing a potentially costly option.
Admittedly, the stand of the Arab League made it easier for it to vote in favor of the resolution. That said, it still required a degree of resolve to step forward given that the decision, without a doubt, will piqué some domestic political constituencies. These include a segment of the political class that remains reflexively anti-American, spouts the atavistic dogma of nonalignment, and lacks faith in India's own democratic institutions.
Having finally demonstrated the necessary firmness at the Security Council when confronted with a potentially risky choice, it should now continue to display a similar willingness to play a more active and dexterous role there. Such a posture may enable it to garner the support that it so desperately seeks, and so urgently needs, to obtain an eventual permanent seat in a reformed and expanded Security Council.
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Anand
India has shown for itself, if not for the rest of the world, that the policy of “non-interference” has its limits.
Mazo
“non-interference” ? Clearly, you don’t see it! This is ALL about “interference”. The Indian government was under intense pressure to side with the Americans and the Europeans after the Arab League gave its report. Just like how the US ambassador to the UN said: Those who voted against the resolution have voted against the Arab people and have “blood on their hands” etc, etc – nice television in the Arab world! India can’t stand against the Arabs without paying a price, even though the spotlight is not as severe as Russia or China!
The_Observer
Not so and only an Indian writer would try and twist the situation. Manning up??? More like a child who wants the approval of papa USA while still hoping that their Iranian cousins will still want to play. India still wants Iran oil and trade with Iran. The Indian administration is hiding behind the petticoats of the Russians and the Chinese.
mahanama
India certainly has come of age.India has no other option than brave China when deciding on world issues.A great show indeed.
Sravan
Not satisfactory at all! I see no reason to celebrate
observer_925
India is between a rock and a hard place really. among the major economies India is in the most vulnerable position when it comes oil supply and oil price which will happen if there a total embargo against Iran oil. I doubt Saudi can make up entirely for Iran supply and India needs Iran in Afghan theater (Saudis could help with leaning on Taliban and Pakistan in this if they want to lessen India’s dependence on Iran).
TheMiddlepath
At least India did not faint.
Ricardo Gonzales
Heard of the saying…….Once bitten,twice shy?
Russia and China waere both bitten by the NATO and US snakes and hence, their vetos were expected.
Mazo
Mans up? Ironic since the reality is India “chickened out”!
With the intense pressure from the Americans and the Europeans, the Indian government “folded” and in the calculus of real-politic it decided to go opt for the popular “holier-than-thou” position instead of sticking to its guns because unlike Russia and China it has a LOT to loose politically.
The Russians and the Chinese stood their ground and good on them. But with the kind of severe tongue lashing that the US ambassador gave at the UNSC, the Russians and the Chinese will be scrambling to cover their position and fortify themselves from public opinion in the Arab world.
Joseph
India did not act in US pressure. Remember, she had abstained in the Libya vote last year. But learning from the Libya lesson as well as unabated violence might have influenced India this time. Also the resolution is not a yankee sponsored one, it comes from the region itself and the general support in the country is also for the same. At the same time India is opposed to the use of force and she worked for removing ‘automatic measures’ as well as other harsh wordings from the resolution.