1957 to 1971: Russia imposed veto power 6 times in the Security Council for India, America protested every time

20 February 1957 – Defense on Kashmir

When India gained independence in 1947, the princely state of Kashmir decided to remain independent from India and Pakistan. However, within a few days, when Pakistan attacked by sending tribals, the Kashmiri leaders sought help from India. India helped Kashmir on the condition of signing the Acquisition Document but then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru took the matter to the United Nations. India had to bear the punishment for this mistake of Nehru. Such an opportunity came in 1957 when on February 20, Australia, Cuba, the UK and the US brought a resolution urging the President of the United Nations Security Council to talk to India and Pakistan to resolve the issue. For this, it was suggested to persuade both the countries to withdraw their respective armies from the disputed area.

There was also a proposal that the United Nations should temporarily deploy its force in Kashmir. The then Soviet Union used its veto power against the proposal while Sweden abstained from voting. Then the President of the UNSC was also from Sweden. Australia, China, Colombia, Cuba, France, Iraq, the Philippines, the UK and the US voted in favor of the resolution. (symbolic picture)

​December 18, 1961 – Goodbye to Goa, Daman and Diu

France, Turkey, the UK and the US brought a joint resolution against India in the Security Council objecting to India’s use of military forces in Goa and Daman and Diu. In the resolution, there was a demand from the Government of India to withdraw the army and restore the situation before 17 December 1961.

The offer fell 7-4. The Soviet Union, Ceylon (then Sri Lanka), Liberia and the UAE supported India in opposing the proposal. At the same time, Chile, China, Ecuador, France, Turkey, the UK and the US supported the resolution opposing India. During the discussion on the debate, Soviet Ambassador to the UN Valerian Zorin said, ‘The defenders of Portugal are not favoring the interests of the United Nations but in favor of colonialism, which is the most shameful philosophy of the 20th century. However, those countries have taken the opposite step dozens of times. (Photo: Valerian Zorin)

June 22, 1962 – Kashmir issue arose again

With the support of America, Ireland had brought a resolution in the Security Council, in which the governments of India and Pakistan were demanded to resolve the Kashmir dispute. It said that both the governments should create such an environment so that an agreement can be reached through dialogue. The USSR again imposed veto power against the proposal. Romania also supported India by voting against the resolution, while Ghana and UAE distanced themselves from voting. Chile, China, France, Ireland, the UK, the US and Venezuela all voted in favor of the resolution. (symbolic picture)

December 4, 1971 – Calls for ceasefire along the Pakistan border

A resolution led by the US was demanded to implement a ceasefire on the India-Pakistan border, against which Russia used veto power. Argentina, Belgium, Burundi, China, Italy, Japan, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Syria and the United States voted in support of the resolution. The then Jana Sangh (later BJP) president Atal Bihari Vajpayee had welcomed Russia’s veto. At a rally organized at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, Vajpayee had said, “Whoever will support us in the current crisis is our friend. The battle of ideology will be fought later. Remember Jana Sangh was opposed to the Left, which is led by the then Soviet Union and now Russia. (symbolic picture)

December 5, 1971 – Refugees issue

Argentina, Belgium, Burundi, Italy, Japan, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone and Somalia proposed a ceasefire along the India-Pakistan border to facilitate the return of refugees. The Soviet Union supported India for the fifth time by using veto power. At the same time, America again supported the proposing countries while opposing India. At the same time, Poland voted against the proposal. The big thing was that this time the UK stayed away from voting and France too. (symbolic picture)

14 December 1971 – Demand for withdrawal of troops

The US-sponsored resolution called on the governments of India and Pakistan to take all necessary steps for a ceasefire and withdrawal of forces to their respective territories. The USSR then vetoed the proposal again. Poland also voted against the proposal, while France and the UK again did not participate in the vote. Argentina, Belgium, Burundi, China, Italy, Japan, Nicaragua, Syria Leone, Somalia, Syria and the US voted in favor of the resolution. (symbolic picture)

America did not change the policy of anti-India even then

Thus, in the six resolutions brought against India in the Security Council against which Russia used veto power, the US supported them all. During this, some powerful countries also exercised neutrality, but America continued to oppose India at every opportunity. In 1971, two resolutions were brought against India, when France and the UK adopted a position of neutrality by not participating in the voting, but America still opposed India. Before that the UK and France were also voting against India.