India on Saturday discerned an improvement in the situation in Syria and in its explanation of vote noted to all parties to walk back from violence so that an impartial supervision and monitoring of the ceasefire can contribute to observing and upholding the commitment of the parties.
Speaking at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Indian Permanent Representative Hardeep Puri thanked Russia for introducing the resolution that was adopted unanimously. “This is a significant step in the Council's collective support for the efforts of the Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan,” he said.
Even though there have been reports of violations, the ceasefire that came into force on April 12 has been observed by all parties in a large part of Syria, he observed while stressing on the need to sustain the gains made so far. This should be facilitated by the expeditious deployment of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), authorised by resolution 2043.
Mr. Puri also reiterated India's views expressed during the previous UNSC debate on April 14 for the U.N. observers to implement the mandate impartially, objectively and fairly, help the Syrian parties to build on the ceasefire and commence an inclusive Syrian-led political process that will meet the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.
For the success of the Annan plan, it was necessary that all parties implement their respective commitments under the six-point plan. “We have noted that the Preliminary Understanding signed by the Syrian government and the United Nations on April 19 sets out clear conditions that have to be met by the Syrian government and the armed opposition groups. We hope that all parties, including the opposition, will abide by those conditions.”
India also took into account Syria's outside interference by observing that it was also necessary for “all countries interested in securing peace and stability in Syria'' to extend their full support for Mr. Annan and U.N. mission and “refrain from any action that may cause further bloodshed'' as it will help in the expeditious resolution of the Syrian crisis as well as in ensuring that the crisis does not spill over Syria's borders.
