UN Gaza resolution: Why India abstained from voting for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war?

The UN General Assembly, with its 193 member nations, made a significant move on Friday when it adopted a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce in the ongoing Israel-Hamas warand ensuring unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip, which is a Palestinian exclave. The resolution, titled "Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations," received overwhelming support with 120 nations voting in favour, while 14 voted against it, and 45 chose to abstain, including India.

India's abstention from the vote raised questions given its longstanding and consistent stance on Palestine. However, a closer look at the proceedings and statements in the UNGA helps shed light on why India walked a fine line, balancing two crucial principles.

Gaza resolution: Why India abstain from voting for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war?

Jordan submitted a draft resolution at UNGA with the goal of securing a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes were directed after a recent attack by Hamas on the Jewish state. India's decision to abstain from the UN General Assembly resolution can be attributed to its concerns about the resolution not explicitly naming Hamas, the Palestinian militant group responsible for rocket attacks on Israel.

In fact, before the general assembly voted on the resolution, an amendment proposed by Canada and co-sponsored by the US sought to include a paragraph condemning the terrorist attacks by Hamas and demanding the release of hostages in compliance with international law.

The Canada-led resolution would state that the general assembly “unequivocally rejects and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas that took place in Israel starting on 7 October 2023 and the taking of hostages, demands the safety, well-being and humane treatment of the hostages in compliance with international law, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release”.

India supported the amendment, joining 87 other nations in favour, while 55 member states opposed it, and 23 chose to abstain. India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Yojna Patel also expressed this concern in the strongest words. "The terror attacks in Israel on 7th October were shocking and deserve condemnation," she said at the UNGA.

Addressing the UN, Patel said, "In a world where differences and disputes should be resolved by dialogue, this august body should be deeply concerned at recourse to violence... The terror attacks in Israel on 7th October were shocking and deserve condemnation. Our thoughts are also with those taken hostages. We call for their immediate and unconditional release."

India, a nation that has experienced and continues to grapple with the scourge of terrorism, has consistently taken a resolute stand against this global menace. Ambassador Patel, representing India at the UNGA, reiterated this unwavering stance, emphasising "Terrorism is a malignancy and knows no borders, nationality or race." India also urged the countries to defy differences and come together against terrorism.

"Let us keep aside differences, unite and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism," she said. India walked a fine diplomatic tightrope by backing a resolution that sought to condemn Hamas while staying true to its well-established policy regarding Palestine.

"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. India is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation and the astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict...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," Patel said.

India's long-standing support for Palestine is a well-established facet of its foreign policy. However, the decision to support a resolution that did not explicitly address the inhumane and terrorist actions of Hamas could affect India's unwavering commitment to countering terrorism. So when the Canada-led resolution failed to be adopted as it did not have a two-thirds majority, India chose to abstain.

It is pertinent to mention that besides India, countries that abstained included Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine and the UK. Notably, the US also expressed its outrage at the resolution's failure to name Hamas, calling it an "omission of evil". “These are omissions of evil. And they give cover to, and they empower Hamas’ brutality. And no member state – no member state – should allow that to happen. You should not let it stand,” the US official said at UNGA.