Having clearly supported Russia, its old ally, as it annexed Crimea from Ukraine, New Delhi declared it will not support “unilateral measures” like the sanctions being imposed by Western nations against Moscow.
The US and EU have imposed sanctions on several officials from Russia and Ukraine accused of involvement in Moscow’s actions in the Black Sea peninsula. Australia too said Wednesday it will impose financial and travel sanctions on a dozen political figures in Russia and Ukraine who it believes were instrumental in “threats to Ukraine’s sovereignty”.
New Delhi’s grounds for not backing sanctions is that it does not support unilateral sanctions against any nation. In this context it cited the examples of Iran and Iraq, against which too it did not endorse unilateral sanctions.
Russia said the sanctions are “unacceptable”, and has warned of “consequences”.
India, walking the diplomatic tightrope even as it is seen backing Russia, got a pat on the back from Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday for showing “restraint” and “objectivity” when he called PM Manmohan Singh to thank him.
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India backs Russia, no to sanctions
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