Context:
India has abstained on a U.N. General Assembly resolution on Myanmar, saying its views have not been reflected in the draft and New Delhi does not believe the resolution, tabled hastily, is conducive to “aiding our joint efforts towards strengthening democratic process” in the country.
Relevance:
GS-II: International Relations (Important International Institutions, Foreign Policies and developments affecting India’s Interests)
Dimensions of the Article:
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About the UNGA resolution on Myanmar
- The General Assembly adopted the draft resolution “The situation in Myanmar” with 119 Member States voting in favour, including Myanmar while 36 nations abstained, including Myanmar’s neighbours India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Laos, Nepal and Thailand. Russia also abstained. Belarus was the sole country voting against it.
- The resolution expressed “grave concern” at the February 1 coup and called upon Myanmar’s military junta to immediately and unconditionally release President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government officials, politicians and those arbitrarily detained or arrested.
- It also called “upon all Member States to prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar”.
- The resolution called on the Myanmar armed forces to end the state of emergency and respect all human rights of all the people of the country.
- It also called on Myanmar to allow the sustained democratic transition, “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 will of the people”.
- It voiced concern at the human rights situation of persons belonging to ethnic, religious and other minorities in Myanmar, “including the Rohingya Muslim minority, in particular with respect to the violations committed against them and their rights related to citizenship status”.
India’s View of the resolution
- India’s Permanent Representative to the UN said that this resolution was tabled in the U.N. General Assembly in a hasty manner without adequate consultations with neighbours and regional countries, adding that this is not only unhelpful but may also prove counter-productive to the efforts of the ASEAN to find a solution to the current situation in Myanmar.
- India’s explanation said that as Myanmar’s immediate neighbour and close friend of its people, India is cognizant of the “serious impact of political instability” and the potential of its spillover beyond Myanmar’s borders.
- India has been calling for greater engagement with the objective of peacefully resolving all issues.
- However, India expressed its deep concern on the developments in Myanmar and strongly condemned the use of violence and urge maximum restraint.
Consultative, constructive approach suggested by India
- India said that its views have not been reflected in the draft being considered for adoption and reiterated 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.
- India was also of the view that the fact that there is a lack of support from all neighbouring countries and several countries in the region itself “should, hopefully, serve as an eye-opener to those who chose to pursue a hasty course of action.
-Source: The Hindu
