India abstains from voting on UNGA resolution against Israel’s ‘o - The Hindu

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Last Updated21/09/2024

The effort of the United Nations should be to “build bridges” between the Israeli and Palestinian sides, said India, explaining a decision to abstain from a resolution at the UN General Assembly.

India recently abstained from a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that called for Israel to vacate Palestinian territories based on an opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The resolution, supported by 124 nations, aimed to impose sanctions and stop arms exports to Israel, but India, along with 42 other countries, chose to abstain.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish explained that the country’s decision was based on the goal of promoting peace rather than furthering divides.
He emphasized the importance of "building bridges" between Israel and Palestine, reiterating India's long-standing support for a two-state solution.
India condemned both the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli reprisals, highlighting its neutral stance by not naming either party in the violence. India continues to call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and sustained humanitarian assistance in Gaza.

This abstention marks a departure from India's earlier votes favoring resolutions asking Israel to withdraw from occupied Palestinian territories.
Sources suggest that India had concerns about the resolution’s wording, especially regarding the one-year deadline for Israel’s withdrawal and punitive sanctions, which were deemed unrealistic by some nations.

The resolution proposed sanctions like travel bans and asset freezes on Israeli officials, and it called for a halt in arms exports to Israel.
Given India’s defense ties with Israel, including joint ventures and licensed manufacturing of defense equipment, these measures could have played a role in India’s decision to abstain. However, Indian officials clarified that the country’s exports to Israel remain low.

While India’s vote appears to lean toward supporting Israel, its recent diplomatic statements continue to express concern for Palestinian rights.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underscored India’s support for the Palestinian cause and condemned civilian casualties in Gaza, reflecting India's complex diplomatic balance between supporting Israel and advocating for Palestinian rights.