Why India Abstained From Voting On UNGA’s Gaza Plea

New Delhi: India decided to back out from supporting a clarion call made by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to stop the aerial strikes on Gaza even as it appealed for a humanitarian truce because the resolution that was put up for voting Friday did not have “explicit condemnation” of the violent attacks that were carried out by Hamas on October 7, ABP LIVE has learnt.

Official sources told ABP LIVE that right before the voting an amendment was moved to include the October 7 attacks carried out against Israel by Hamas, in which India voted in favour. However, that particular amendment obtained only 88 votes and failed to get the mandatory two-thirds majority so it was made null and void.

“In the absence of all elements of our approach not being covered in the final text of the Resolution, we abstained in the vote on its adoption … There can be no equivocation on terror,” said an official source while a Resolution on the Israel-Palestine issue was adopted by the Extraordinary Special Session of the UN General Assembly on October 27.

The source also said that during the voting, India did stress on New Delhi’s “consistent stand” on Palestine.

In UN parlance, members which abstain from voting are considered as not voting for a particular resolution. India was one of the 45 countries that abstained from voting that was carried out to adopt a Resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza.

The UN Resolution also demands “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped inside the enclave, as news reports suggest Israel has expanded ground operations and intensified its bombing campaign.

India abstained from voting on this Resolution even as the death toll in Gaza exceeded a staggering 7,000 and since Israeli airstrikes began there on October 7. The Health Ministry in Gaza has said 7,028 Palestinians have been killed till now.

Israeli Defence Forces have meanwhile said their fighter jets have struck Asem Abu Rakaba, the Head of Hamas’ Aerial Array. According to the IDF, he was also part of the October 7 attacks and “commanded the terrorists who infiltrated Israel on paragliders and was responsible for the drone attacks on IDF posts”.

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‘India Always Supported A Negotiated Two-State Solution’

According to New Delhi’s Explanation of Vote (EOV) at the UN, “The terror attacks in Israel on 7th October were shocking and deserve condemnation. Our thoughts are also with those taken hostage. We call for their immediate and unconditional release.”

India’s Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Yojna Patel said during the voting at the UN: “Casualties in the ongoing conflict in Gaza are a telling, serious and continuing concern. Civilians, especially women and children are paying with their lives. This humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed. We welcome the international community’s de-escalation efforts and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. India too has contributed to this effort.”

Patel added: “India has always supported a negotiated Two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine issue leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side-by-side in peace with Israel. For this, we urge the parties to de-escalate, eschew violence and work towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations.”

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