Vantage | What India's abstention at UNGA vote on Gaza says

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has brought to light a complex web of international alliances and diplomatic maneuvering and India’s recent decision to abstain from a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on the matter has raised eyebrows and questions about its foreign policy stance. The abstention has sparked discussions about whether this signals a shift in India’s approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict, particularly in favour of a more pro-Israel position.

The UNGA resolution in question called for a ceasefire in Gaza. While it’s important to note that this resolution was non-binding and served primarily as a political statement, it still provided insight into where each country stands on the issue. India’s decision to abstain from the vote left many wondering about the implications. India’s changed stance at UNGA? In recent years, India has consistently supported ceasefire calls in Gaza during previous UNGA resolutions. For example, in 2018 and 2009, India voted in favour of such ceasefires. This voting pattern suggested that India had traditionally been in favour of peace and de-escalation in the Israel-Palestine conflict. However, the recent abstention marked a departure from this pattern. So, what has changed? Two key factors offer insights into this decision. First, India’s discomfort with the UNGA resolution’s failure to explicitly condemn Hamas appears to be a significant factor. The resolution, drafted by Arab countries, did condemn all forms of terrorism but did not name Hamas specifically. India, along with 88 other countries, supported an amendment to add a condemnation of Hamas. However, this amendment did not garner the necessary two-thirds majority and was defeated. As a result, India abstained from the vote on the original resolution. Second, it’s worth noting that India’s decision to abstain aligned it with several other US allies including Canada, Greece, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy. These countries have historically supported the two-state solution but have strong alliances with Israel. The decision to abstain, therefore, may reflect India’s growing ties with Israel and its intention to maintain those relationships. Furthermore, India’s warming relationship with Israel has been evident in recent years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu have established a personal rapport and India has expressed strong support for Israel. This was demonstrated when, in the face of the Gaza conflict, India offered full support to Israel. In addition, the triggering event for this round of conflict was a Hamas terror attack, and India, having faced its share of terrorism, might have been influenced by this when casting its vote. India still backs two-State solution Despite the abstention, India has not abandoned its support for the two-State solution on Palestine. Prime Minister Modi recently spoke to the President of Egypt, and while the Egyptian readout emphasised a ceasefire, the Indian readout did not explicitly mention it, instead focussing on the restoration of peace. India’s abstention at the UNGA should be viewed as a delicate balancing act reflecting its evolving foreign policy, its strategic partnerships and its reluctance to take sides in a complex and sensitive international issue. This decision is unlikely to be the final word on India’s stance and as the Israel-Palestine conflict continues, India’s approach will remain a subject of interest and scrutiny. How India navigates this situation in the coming months will be pivotal, especially considering potential pressure from the Arab world and the changing dynamics of international diplomacy. If India continues to abstain from similar resolutions, it could signify a new status quo in its Israel-Palestine foreign policy approach, but returning to supporting ceasefire calls would quell some of the speculation. Ultimately, as the Israel-Palestine conflict persists, the UNGA will likely be confronted with many more resolutions and India’s stance will continue to be closely observed. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.