India abstains from UN vote on Middle East Crisis

India abstained from voting on a resolution moved in the UN General Assembly calling for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas crisis. Moved by Jordan, the resolution sought unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza but did not mention the atrocities committed by Hamas that has led to the crisis.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Deputy Permanent Representative Yojna Patel called for a zero tolerance approach to terrorism and welcomed efforts by the international community to de-escalate the situation.

The Jordanian resolution - that was passed by the UN General assembly - did not make any reference to the Hamas terror group. India however did vote in favour of an amendment to the resolution proposed by Canada that asked for a paragraph to be included to condemn the terror attacks by Hamas on October 7 and called for an immediate release of all hostages. The amendment however did not muster enough votes to be passed by the General Assembly.


While India along with 87 other nations voted in favour of the amendment, it did not obtain the two third majority of present and voting members required to be adopted. Speaking at the General Assembly, the Indian representative said that the world should not buy any justification for terror attacks and needs to adopt a zero tolerance policy.

"The terror attacks in Israel on 7th October were shocking and deserve condemnation. Our thoughts are also with those taken hostage. We call for their immediate and unconditional release," Ambassador Patel said.

Titled "Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations", the Jordanian resolution was adopted with 120 nations voting in its favour, 14 against and 45 nations abstaining. Besides India, UK, Germany and Australia also abstained from voting.

The resolution called for a durable and sustained humanitarian truce and demanded immediate provision of essential goods and services like water, food, medical supplies and fuel to the Gaza strip. It also called for humanitarian access for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.