How South Asia Views War
Some of India’s neighbour voted against Russia at UNGA while some abstained.
Sri Lanka abstained from voting due to:
- Its import dependent economy has been crippled due to shortage of forex as tourism declines. Ukraine and Russia were a major market.
- Surge in oil prices due to sanctions on Russia has made India’s $500mn credit line look inadequate for fuel purchases.
- Russia is also a major buyer of tea and Sri Lanka needs to find a way around sanctions for economic growth.
Pakistan abstained too:
- Its ties with Russia were built over a decade as a response to its tension with USA during Afghan war.
- US-Pak relations have cooled down, especially after US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
- Pakistan hopes to build a new axis with China and Russia to take control of Eurasia.
Bangladesh has own reasons for abstaining:
- Issue with US’ decision to sanction Rapid Action Battalion, an elite paramilitary deployed against jihadist groups for alleged human rights violation.
- Moscow helped Bangladesh with military during 1971 war while US sided with Pakistan.
- Russia in now construction Bangladesh’s 1st nuclear plant at Rooppur.
Nepal voted against Russia:
- Sandwiched between China and India, Nepal voted against Russia as it condemns use of any force against territorial integrity.
- Close relations with US: $500mn US grant for developmental projects.
Bhutan voted against Russia:
- As it used same geopolitics logic it faces like Nepal. Bhutan views Russian invasion as display of supremacy of a big power, much like China, which claims Bhutan’s territories.
Afghanistan voted against Russia:
- Afghanistan continues to be represented at the UN by its ousted government.
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