India abstains from Gaza ceasefire resolution in UNGA for the fourth time in three years

 

India abstains from Gaza ceasefire resolution in UNGA for the fourth time in three years

India abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza for the fourth consecutive time in three years, signaling a shift in the Modi government’s approach to resolutions critical of Israel's actions in Gaza, where at least 55,000 people have died. This marks a notable departure from India's stance in December 2024, when it had voted in favor of a similar ceasefire resolution, making the current abstention a shift in policy just six months later.

India’s decision came amidst External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Paris, where he is holding bilateral talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. During these talks, France is expected to request India's high-level participation in a UN conference aimed at creating the conditions for a Two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. This conference is being organized jointly with Saudi Arabia and is scheduled for June 17-20. Diplomatic sources, however, have stated that they have not yet received information on India’s participation, nor have they been informed whether India will be represented through its Permanent Mission in New York. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has yet to comment on the matter.

A leaked demarche reported by U.S. media indicates that the Trump administration warned partner countries not to attend the conference or make pledges regarding the recognition of Palestine. India recognized Palestine in 1988 and remains among 147 of 193 UNGA member states that have acknowledged Palestinian statehood.

19 Countries Abstain

The resolution, introduced by Spain at the UNGA on Thursday evening, passed with overwhelming support, receiving votes from over 4/5ths of member countries. India was one of 19 abstentions, alongside Albania, Dominica, Ecuador, Kiribati, Malawi, and others. A total of 149 countries voted in favor of the resolution, titled "Protection of Civilians and Upholding Legal and Humanitarian Obligations." The United States, along with Israel and 10 other countries, voted against it. India was the only nation from South Asia, the BRICS, or the SCO groupings to abstain.

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, expressed that while India is “deeply concerned” about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the decision to abstain was in line with its previous votes. These included a December 2022 vote condemning Israel for human rights violations, as well as a December 2024 resolution that referred Israel’s actions in Gaza to the International Court of Justice. India also abstained from a October 2023 ceasefire vote and from two other resolutions related to human rights investigations in 2023-2024.

The UNGA resolution, which called on both Israel and Hamas to adhere to international legal obligations, was part of the broader international push to address the humanitarian crisis and the protection of civilians caught in the conflict.