India Abstains from the UNGA Vote on Gaza Resolution

Context:

• This article is based on an Editorial “Lost voice: On India’s abstention on the Gaza vote at the UN” which was published in the Hindu. Recently, India said that its decision to abstain a vote at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) for a ceasefire in the Israel Palestine conflict was its way of protesting the omission of any “explicit condemnation” of the heinous terror attack by Hamas militants on Israel. 

What is the UN’S Gaza resolution?

• Entitled: Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations.
• Condemn of Violence: The Gaza resolution was condemning all acts of violence aimed at Palestinian and Israeli civilians, including all acts of terrorism and indiscriminate attacks. 

UN Gaza Resolution – India Missed Diplomatic Opportunities

• Amendment Proposal: India could have worked with the Gaza resolution’s proposers to include specific references to the October 7 attacks.
• Leadership Role: This could have been an opportunity for India to lead such an amendment successfully.
• Alternative Vote with Explanation: Like France, India could have voted for the motion, while mentioning in its Explanation of Vote (EoV) that it regretted the omissions of the specific references to the attacks. 
  • In its EoV, India did not itself name Hamas for the terror attacks, nor has it so far designated Hamas as a terror group.
• Strong Anti-Terrorism Stand: Alternatively, India could have voted against the Gaza resolution, aligning with the U.S., the U.K., and Israel in taking a strong anti-terrorism stance.

Concerns

• Shift in Position: India’s abstention from the Gaza resolution indicates a shift in the government’s stand, seeking a ‘safe’ position, rather than taking a stand on the violence in Israel and Palestine. 
• Lost Opportunity: India lost an opportunity to make India’s voice heard in the growing geopolitical conflict. 
  • Abstaining on a matter of global importance without making efforts to forge a consensus, India is losing to become the voice of the Global South, or for a seat at the global high table.

Also read: UNSC Reforms for a New Era; What the World Thinks

Conclusion:

• The death toll is rising in this war, which needs a global solidarity to stop the violence.
• India with its traditionally balanced position on the issue, and its recent G-20 role in bridging global divides would need to make an effort to come out with a positive solution. 

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