New Delhi: More than three-quarters of UN member states backed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages by Hamas, and unimpeded humanitarian access – but India abstained, arguing that durable peace can only emerge through direct negotiations.
The resolution, introduced by Spain after a similar Security Council text was vetoed by the United States, was passed in the General Assembly with 149 countries in favour, 12 against, and 19 abstaining. Those voting against included the US, Israel, Argentina, Hungary, and Paraguay. India abstained along with Ecuador, Romania, and Czechia.
The text condemned the use of starvation and the denial of humanitarian aid as tactic of war. It also called for “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire”, and the “immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages” held by Hamas and other armed groups.
Explaining India’s decision, its permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador P. Harish, said the country was deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian crisis and condemned the loss of civilian lives. “India has always been on the side of peace and humanity,” he said.
Harish called for the protection of civilians, adherence to humanitarian obligations, and timely delivery of aid to Gaza. “We also believe that release of remaining hostages and a ceasefire are important to ameliorate the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Our collective voice should echo this,” he said. However, he stressed that “dialogue and diplomacy” remained the only path to peace, and that “continuing argumentation and accusations hinder the path to peace.”
India explained its abstention by stating that it was consistent with its previous voting record on similar resolutions. It cited its position on the 2022 General Assembly resolution requesting an International Court of Justice advisory opinion on Israel’s occupation of Palestine, and another in 2024 calling for ICJ to opine on Israel’s obligations to UN and other international organisations.
“India had earlier abstained in the vote on Resolutions A/RES/77/247 and A/RES/79/232. Our vote today is in continuation of this, in the belief that there is no other way to resolve conflicts, but through dialogue and diplomacy. Our joint effort should be directed towards bringing the two sides closer. For these reasons, we abstain on this resolution,” he said.
While India cited these two earlier abstentions to justify its voting position, the June 12 resolution is focused primarily on demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.
Just six months ago, India had voted in favour of a separate General Assembly resolution on December 11, 2024 that also called for a ceasefire, underlining that its approach to voting on Gaza-related resolutions has not been uniform. In fact, the first time that it voted for a ceasefire in Gaza was in December 2023.
On the ICJ argument that is implicit in India’s explanation of vote, it should be noted that India had voted ‘yes’ in a separate December 3 resolution supporting a UN-led international conference on a two-state solution. The two resolutions of December 11 and December 3, of which India voted in favour, also referenced the ICJ’s advisory opinion of July 2024 that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories was illegal under international law.
In both cases, the ICJ references appeared in the preambular sections, as they did in the June 12 resolution.
It remains unclear, therefore, why India considered the mention of the ICJ’s advisory opinion in the latest resolution a reason to abstain, particularly as it was limited to preambular language.
Moreover, India has consistently supported the ICJ, in contrast to its position on the International Criminal Court, which it has not joined.
An Indian judge currently sits on the ICJ bench, and New Delhi had itself successfully turned to the world court to secure consular access for Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was accused of espionage by Pakistan.
India also asserted that the international community should help create conditions for the early resumption of direct peace talks. “We hope this August assembly will send a clear message to expand the prospect for dialogue and diplomacy towards restoration of peace and bringing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to an end,” said Harish.
The Indian representative also restated support for a two-state solution, which would lead to “the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side, in peace with Israel.”
The strong support for the resolution marked a shift among European nations, many of which had previously abstained on Gaza-related votes. Only Hungary opposed the resolution from the continent, while Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, North Macedonia, Slovakia and Czechia abstained.
Among the five permanent members of the Security Council, all except the United States voted in favour. That included the United Kingdom, a key US ally. Australia and Japan, both members of the Quad, also voted for the resolution, diverging from Washington’s position.
Overall in the global south, the ‘no’ votes were only from six Pacific Island nations, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay and Argentina. In Asia, all countries, except for India and Timor-Leste, voted for the UNGA resolution, starkly demonstrating New Delhi’s outlier voting. There were three abstentions in South and Central America and six in Africa.
Palestine’s permanent observer to the UN welcomed the vote, thanking those who supported the resolution for “standing up for humanity and the defence of the entire nation of Palestine.”
Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, criticised the resolution for failing to unequivocally condemn Hamas’s October 7 attacks. He also denied that Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war, asserting that aid was being provided through a new mechanism. However, the UN and other humanitarian agencies have refused to participate in this mechanism, arguing that it does not align with international standards.
This article was updated with more details at 12:22 am on June 14.
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