Libya today is a highly fragmented state with porous borders and unidentified alliance formations. In this scenario, a resolution to partially lift the arms embargo may have widespread undesirable consequences.
Since there was no clarity about the end goals of this operation, it would have been difficult for the Indian government to communicate and justify its support for this resolution to its domestic constituency.
Responsibility to Protect – The Case of Libya
Along with a clear and unambiguous mandate, pre-intervention planning also demands an exit strategy which is lacking in the Libyan case.