In its first major vote after joining the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the next two years, India voted in favour of sanctions against Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi, his relatives and associates.
The Council unanimously approved curbs on travel, freezing of financial assets, weapon sales and a reference to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
The Council's rapid reaction to the violence in Libya came after a day of negotiations during which western countries managed to bring around India, China, Russia and others to support the reference to the ICC.
These countries were also less strident in their criticism of the Libyan regime though all of them expressed concern over the continuing violence in Tripoli and other cities.
All the Council members were hopeful that the world community's collective determination would end the bloodbath in Libya. Libyan Permanent Representative helped tilt the decision in referring the Libyan leader's case to the ICC, criticising the regime that appointed him.
Defending its support for reference to the ICC, India mentioned the Libyan diplomat's letter of support towards this step as one of the factors that influenced its vote. Libya was among the countries that had voted against the setting up of the ICC and is not a member. India drew attention to this aspect as well during the address of its Permanent Representative, Hardeep Puri. He devoted most of his address to justifying the reference to the ICC.
India is opposed to broad-based sanctions as it believes they spare the ruling elite and hit the people at large. Two factors brought India and other like-minded countries such as China, Brazil and Russia to supporting the draft resolution piloted by the western alliance in the P-5, along with Germany.
First, that it was specifically targeted against Col. Qadhafi and his close circle. Second that unrest was undesirable in a region which is crucial to the world's energy security.
