- Tuesday, April 16, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
Shubham Ghosh
INDIA on Friday (18) abstained on the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on Myanmar asking its armed forces to respect the people’s will as expressed in the general election of last November. It said its views have not been reflected in the draft resolution and a “consultative and constructive” approach involving Myanmar’s neighbouring countries is key as the international community tries to find a peaceful resolution for the crisis snowballing in the South-east Asian nation.
The UNGA resolution ‘The situation in Myanmar’ called “upon the Myanmar armed forces to respect the people’s will as freely expressed by results of the general election of November 8, 2020, to end the state of emergency, to respect all human rights of people of Myanmar and to allow the sustained democratic transition of Myanmar, including the opening of the democratically elected parliament, and by working towards bringing all national institutions, including the armed forces, under a fully inclusive civilian government that is representative of the people’s will”.
The resolution was adopted with 119 countries including Myanmar voting “yes”, Belarus saying “no” while India, along with 35 nations abstaining, including China and Russia. Explaining its position, India “we find that our views have not been reflected in the draft being considered for adoption today. We would like to reiterate that a consultative and constructive approach involving the neighbouring countries and the region, remains important as the international community strives for the peaceful resolution of the issue”.
Hasty course of action: India
It added: “The fact that there is lack of support from all neighbouring countries as well as several countries in the region itself should, hopefully, serve as an eye-opener to those who choose to pursue a hasty course of action.” India also said that it was not convinced that the tabling of the resolution for adoption at this moment is “conducive to aiding our joint efforts towards strengthening democratic process in Myanmar”.
India, which said the resolution was tabled without having adequate talks with Myanmar’s neighbours and regional countries, has been calling for a greater engagement on Myanmar to resolve all issues peacefully.
The UNGA resolution expressed “grave concern” at the coup that took place in Myanmar on February 1 and asked the country’s military junta to release President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government officials, politicians and those arbitrarily held or detained immediately and unconditionally. It also appealed to all its member states to prevent flow of arms into Myanmar.
India has been calling for greater engagement with the objective of peacefully resolving all issues.
