India abstained its position on the resolution proposed in the UN General Assembly held on Thursday, July 11, 2024. The resolution demanded immediate ceasefire from Russia and withdrawal of military and other illegal appointment of personnel in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Background of the Nuclear Power Plant
The largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhia, has 6 Soviet designed nuclear reactors containing Uranium 235. This reactor is on the border of on-war countries and is a major threat if handled without necessary caution. The reactors are in cold shutdown, i.e they are kept in cold temperatures below boiling point so as to maintain the intensity of the reaction chains. The water reservoir at Kakhovka is used to keep these reactors cool.
Image Source: The Hindu
This reservoir was breached on June 6 with both the nations of Ukraine and Russia denouncing each other for the harm. The reactors, if overheated, can cause an atrocious disaster just like the 1986 Chernobyll accident.
Resolution by UNGA
The resolution, titled ‘Safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant’ asked Russia for ‘‘immediate cease of aggression against Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its intentionally recognized borders.’’
Russia took the complete hold of the plant in March 2022. The resolution also demands Russia to return the control of the plant to the sovereign and competent authorities of Ukraine. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned the countries about the consequences and asked both the parties to end war like situation in the region.
India Stands Abstained
The Resolution got 99 votes in favour and 60 abstained including countries like India, Bhutan, China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh. The 9 countries voted against the resolution, some of wich are Cuba, Belarus North Korea and Syria. India has always prioritized peace and internatioal security when it comes to narrowing down to a decisive action and make a stand globally.
