India abstains from UN vote calling for permanent Gaza ceasefire
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India was among 19 countries that abstained from voting on a United Nations General Assembly resolution passed on Thursday, which called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, where the death toll has reportedly crossed 55,000.
The non-binding resolution received overwhelming support, with 149 countries voting in favor and 12, including Israel and the United States, opposing it. The resolution also called for the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas and for unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza.
It condemned the use of starvation and denial of aid as methods of warfare, and demanded that Israel immediately lift its blockade and open all border crossings to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance. In May, the United Nations described Gaza as the “hungriest place on Earth”.
Efforts to revive the brief ceasefire implemented in January remain deadlocked, with both Israel and Hamas making conflicting demands. Israel insists that Hamas disarm and release all remaining hostages, while Hamas is demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal and a formal end to the war.
Notably, while the US voted against the resolution, the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council, China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom, voted in favor.
India’s abstention reflects a shift from its stance in December 2023, when it supported a UN resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. In July 2024, New Delhi had also reiterated its call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza at the United Nations.
