India's stand at UNHRC in country's interest, in line with foreign policy: Former EAM Natwar Singh

The decision taken by the Indian government to abstain from voting against Russia's suspension from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is in the Country's interest and in line with India's foreign policy, former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh said on Friday.

Responding to a question about India abstaining from voting against Russia, Singh said that India had no choice. Russia has always supported India. It is a very very difficult situation and the decision taken by the Government is in India's interest and in line with India's foreign policy standards and commitments as a non-aligned country.

"World knows this that we follow an independent foreign policy," he said.

Suspending a permanent Security Council member is a big event in the history of the United Nations but it will not change what Putin is doing, he further said.

On being asked about the US, which has threatened India with sanctions for enhancing ties with Moscow, he said that these sanctions have no international legal standing.

"It is applied by members like the US, Russia and other countries but legally it has no stand," he said.

Internationally there is no such law or rule to impose sanctions on other countries. It is largely practised by Western Block as they are powerful. They can stop oil imports from Russia but the problem is that Germany is dependent upon oil and gas from Russia, he added.

"Every week they are strengthening the sanctions making life difficult for an average Russian citizen," he further said.

On the political situation in Pakistan, he said that Imran Khan's standing with the public has gone down. The situation also exposes that Khan knows very little about politics, he added

( With inputs from ANI )