UNGA Gaza ceasefire resolution: India abstains

• India abstained from a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza for the fourth time in three years, indicating a growing trend in the Modi government’s policy not to vote on statements critical of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

• India’s vote came in as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is in Paris for bilateral talks with French Foreign Minister Barrot.

• India’s participation at a UN conference on creating conditions for a “Two-State solution” is yet to be announced.

• The Trump administration has warned partner countries not to join the conference or pledges for the recognition of Palestine.

• India is the only country in South Asia, BRICS, or the SCO groupings to abstain.

• India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, explained the vote as continuation of previous votes in December 2022 criticising Israel for Human Rights violations and in December 2024 that referred the Israeli bombardment of Gaza to the International Court of Justice.

• The resolution called on Israel and Hamas to comply with international law obligations and facilitate full, rapid, safe, and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance at scale in Gaza.