Feb 28, 2022: According to a report by Reuters, Russia has praised India’s “independent and balanced” position after India abstained from a UN Security Council vote on Friday that deplored Moscow’s “aggression” against Ukraine.

India joined China and the United Arab Emirates in not voting on the resolution on Friday. The move demonstrates the fine line India has walked in balancing relations between its regional ally Russia and the west.

In spite of being the world’s largest democracy and a member of the “Quad” grouping with Australia, Japan and the United States, India has neither explicitly condemned Moscow’s actions, nor called them an invasion so far.

With historically close relations that date back to the cold war era, New Delhi and Moscow have a relationship that continues to this day, with Russia being India’s largest supplier of arms. The U.S is discussing its position on Ukraine with India, and on Saturday urged Delhi to use its influence with Russia to “safeguard the international rule of law”.

The move was lauded by the Russian embassy in India which issued a statement on twitter saying, “Highly appreciate India’s independent and balanced position at the voting in the UNSC, In the spirit of the special and privileged strategic partnership, Russia is committed to maintain close dialogue with India on the situation around Ukraine.”

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