India abstained on an emergency resolution at the UN General Assembly calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities” in Gaza.
It was passed with 120 votes in favour.
The United States and Israel were among the 14 countries that voted against the resolution authored by Jordan.
This vote will be seen as a major shift from India’s self-proclaimed neutral position. Although the vote shows it is neutral, It politically translates into favouring the Western bloc.
UK, Australia, Canada, Ukraine, Japan and Germany— allies of the US — have also abstained from voting.
France has backed the non-binding resolution.
Critics of Modi have been pointing toward India’s shift in bilateral trade with Israel.
In the wake of the Hamas attack on October 7, Modi issued strong declarations in support of Israel.
It took five more days for the Ministry of External Affairs to issue a statement reiterating New Delhi’s position of establishing a “sovereign, independent, and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side at peace with Israel”.
