Saying that the path of diplomacy was given up, India on Friday abstained from exercising its right of voting on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, T S Tirumurti, while explaining the decision said, “India's deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine. We urge that all efforts are made for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities.”

Expressing his concern over the welfare and security of the Indian community in Ukraine, Tirumurti said that no resolution could ever be arrived at, at the cost of human lives, reported ANI.

He said, “We are also deeply concerned about the welfare and security of the Indian community, including a large number of Indian students, in Ukraine.”

He further said, “The contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states,” adding, “All member states need to honour these principles in finding a constructive way forward.”

Tirumurti then said, “Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however, daunting that may appear at this moment."

"It is a matter of regret that the path of diplomacy was given up. We must return to it. For all these reasons India has chosen to abstain on this resolution," he added.

Meanwhile, Russia used its power to veto the draft UNSC resolution on Ukraine with China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) joining India in abstaining from the vote.

The vote ended with 11 in favour, one against, and three abstentions

Notably, China’s permanent representative Zhang Jun, explaining its decision to abstain, said that the security of one country cannot come at the cost of undermining the security of the other nations.

Jun said, “We believe that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states should be respected and that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be upheld.”

"Security of one country cannot come at the cost of undermining the security of other nations. China abstained in the vote. Ukraine should become a bridge between East and West,” he said.

In addition, the US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, “Russia's latest attack on our most fundamental principles is so bold, so brazen that it threatens our international system as we know it."

Her UK counterpart Barbara Woodward said, “Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a massive invasion of Ukraine. His aim is to remove its government and subjugate its people. This is not self-defense. It is naked aggression."