India has refrained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution denouncing the recent annexation of four Ukrainian regions by Russia, describing the decision as a "well thought out national position".

Earlier too, India had abstained from voting on three resolutions against Russia -- a similar Security Council resolution recently and two General Assembly resolutions in March.

Though a total of 35 nations, including China, South Africa and Pakistan, refrained from voting on Wednesday, this resolution was passed with a two-third majority.

In her speech, Ruchira Kamboj, India's permanent representative to the UN, reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a diplomatic solution to the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

"We have decided to abstain, keeping with our firm resolve to strive for a peaceful solution through dialogue and diplomacy," she said.

"Our PM has said unequivocally that this cannot be an era of war. We have consistently advocated that no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives. Escalation of hostilities and violence is in no one's interest," the diplomat said.

Experts believe that India's"neutral stand" in the Russia-Ukraine war stems from the fact that Moscow still continues to be its largest arms supplier. India imports nearly 50% of its arms and fighter aircraft from Russia.