With India abstaining from voting on a United Nations resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict as the resolution did not condemn Hamas’ terror acts, Opposition parties in India on Saturday asserted that the move goes against everything the country has stood for, even as the BJP stressed that India will never be on the side of terrorism.
India voted in favour of an amendment proposed by Canada that asked for inserting a paragraph in the resolution that would state that the General Assembly “unequivocally rejects and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas that took place in Israel starting on October 7, 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”. As the draft amendment could not be adopted, India abstained.
However, India also raised concerns on the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Leaders of parties like the Congress, the CPI, the CPI(M), the BSP and the AIMIM said they were “shocked” and “ashamed” over India’s stand on the Jordan-drafted resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict and unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip.
Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar claimed there was “total confusion” in the approach of the Narendra Modi Government to the Palestine issue.
However, explaining New Delhi’s decision, sources said India is concerned over the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza but at the same time strongly considers that there can be no equivocation on terror, noting the resolution did not include any explicit condemnation of the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas.
Sources said in the absence of all elements of India’s approach not being covered in the final text of the UN Resolution, Delhi abstained in the vote on its adoption. The sources said India’s vote on the Resolution was guided by its steadfast and consistent position on the issue and India's Explanation of Vote reiterated this comprehensively and holistically.
India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Yojna Patel, in the Explanation of Vote (EOV), said, “Terrorism is a malignancy and knows no borders, nationality or race. The world should not buy into any justification of terror acts. Let us keep aside differences, unite and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism.”
The EOV also strongly conveyed India’s concerns on the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying, “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.”
Sources noted that India's EOV also stressed its consistent stand on Palestine.
In a post on X, the Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra quoted Mahatma Gandhi’s “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” to criticise the Government’s stand.
“I am shocked and ashamed that our country has abstained from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza,” she said.
“Our country was founded on the principles of non-violence and truth, principles for which our freedom fighters laid down their lives, these principles form the basis of the constitution that defines our nationhood,” she said.
They represent the moral courage of India that guided its actions as a member of the international community, she added.
Reacting to Priyanka’s remarks, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said those who are ashamed and shocked must realise that India will never be on the side of terrorism. “India’s Explanation of Vote spelt this out categorically. Our position on the Israel -Palestine issue is steadfast and consistent. Those who choose to side with terror do so at their own peril...,” the former Union Minority Affairs Minister said on X.
“On a lighter note, Priyanka Ji, you should first educate yourself on things that are put out from your X account. Looks like people, who have no idea of Congress’ past positions on the situation, are advising you,” he said.
“What is worse is that in an attempt to make you look ‘better’ than Rahul, they are making you look silly,” Naqvi added.
BSP MP Danish Ali said he had never imagined that India would leave the oppressed to their fate.
“I urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect our special identity in the world by living up to the basic principles of humanity and play a role in saving the suffering children and drowning humanity in Gaza,” he said in a post in Hindi on X.
In a post on Facebook, he alleged that the Israeli army is killing Palestinians and the world is watching it like it is an action movie.
“And many stone-hearted people are rejoicing over the killing of innocent children or counting the dead bodies,” he said.
“India was founded on the principles of truth and non-violence, the core principles for which our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives, these principles are the basis of the Indian Constitution that defines our nationhood and unique identity in the world.
“They represent India’s moral courage that has guided its actions as a member of the international community,” he said.
The CPI(M) and the CPI said that India abstaining from voting on the United Nations resolution is “shocking” and shows that Indian foreign policy is now shaped by “being a subordinate ally of US imperialism”.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI General Secretary D Raja said in a joint statement titled ‘Stop this Genocidal Aggression in Gaza’ that India’s move negates its long-standing support to the Palestinian cause.
“It is shocking that India abstained on a Resolution overwhelmingly adopted by the UN General Assembly calling for a humanitarian truce titled ‘Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations’ in the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza,” they said.
India has said terrorism is a “malignancy” and knows no borders, nationality or race and the world should not buy into any justification of terror acts, as it abstained on a resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Replying to a question at a press conference, NCP leader Sharad Pawar said India never supported the way Gaza is being attacked.
“Today, there is total confusion in the Indian Government’s policy. I have never seen such confusion from the Indian Government over the Palestine and Gaza issue. The first statement of the PM totally supported Israel. When there was a reaction from the outside world and India, the foreign ministry took a different line and spoke in favour of Palestine,” Pawar, a former defence minister, claimed.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said it is “shocking” that India abstained from voting for the UN General Assembly resolution.
The resolution, which garnered 121 votes in favour, 44 abstentions and 14 member states voting against it, also demanded the immediate, continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip. Over 1,400 people were killed in the unprecedented attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7. Hamas also took more than 220 people hostage. Israel then launched retaliatory strikes. The Health Ministry in
Hamas-ruled Gaza said on Saturday that over 7,700 Palestinians have died since October 7.
