The strategic abstention

Pakistan did some excellent tightrope walking at the United Nations General Assembly session on Ukraine. By abstaining from voting on the resolution condemning Russia for marching into Ukraine, it took a stance that was passive and left a lot of room for behind-the-curtain diplomacy. Pakistan’s choice of words was startling, as it took a high moral ground by emphasising the need to protect territorial integrity of a state without threatening the national interests of another. In other words, it played out carefully by reiterating its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and at the same time allied itself with the Russian concerns on the undesired extension of NATO eastwards. It was a marvel of diplomacy, and coincided with similar strategic leanings of China, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

While the UN General Assembly censured Moscow for invading Ukraine, and called for an immediate halt to fighting, the momentum wasn’t carried de jure. But this resolution was unique in the way that China opted for the casual route of abstention. Chinese President Xi Jinping has already refused to call the act an aggression, as Beijing too is equally concerned over West’s intrusion in this part of the world. So it was obvious, and the non-binding resolution will remain on the shelf of the world body as another toothless monologue. The 141 members in favour of the resolution, nonetheless, have a task to perform by endorsing sustained diplomacy to find an amicable solution to the lingering crisis in the heart of Euro-Asia.

The pressure from 22 diplomats, in an unusual letter to the Foreign Office, urging Pakistan to condemn Russian aggression was a delicate moment to cave in. It’s good that Islamabad saw beyond the immediate horizons to make a conscious decision. As Pakistan has a principled stance on Kashmir and Palestine, it was squarely reflected as it said, “Pakistan upholds the principle of equal and indivisible security for all.” Thus, it not only upheld its inclination towards Moscow as a new strategic ally, but also assured Kiev that it advocates de-escalation and a process of continuous dialogue. The message stands conveyed.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2022.

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