India was among the countries who refrained from voting for the non-binding Jordanian resolution, but it did vote in favor of a Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution on the Gaza crisis, which did not pass at the UNGA because it did not receive a two-thirds majority.
Instead of denouncing Hamas, Canada proposed a revision to the resolution that was initially drafted by Jordan, which called for unfettered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip. An attempt was made to incorporate a sentence criticizing the “terrorist attacks by Hamas” into Canada’s proposed amendment.
Regarding the Jordanian resolution that demanded a “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza, India chose not to vote. It is important to remember, nevertheless, that India supported the Canadian resolution denouncing the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas.
The General Assembly approved the draft resolution spearheaded by Jordan with 120 votes in favor, 14 against, and 45 abstentions. Greece, Iceland, India, Panama, Lithuania, and Panama were among the 45 countries that refrained from voting on the resolution.
The resolution was adopted during the UN General Assembly’s emergency special session on the Israel-Palestine crisis. The UNGA also demanded continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped inside the enclave.
The Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution on the Gaza crisis did not pass at the UNGA. It failed to achieve a two-thirds majority. An amendment proposed by Canada unequivocally rejects and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas in Israel which started on October 7 and the taking of hostages.
During the voting on the Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution, 88 voted in favour of the amendment, 55 voted against the amendment and 23 abstained from voting. The nations that voted in favour of the amendment included India, Australia, US, UK, Austria and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, expressing deep concerns over the deteriorating security situation and the astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, India at the UN urged both parties to “de-escalate, eschew violence.”
India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Yojna Patel on Friday (local time) in her remarks at the United Nations General Assembly Emergency Special Session on the Israel-Hamas war said, “India is deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation and the astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. The escalation of hostilities in the region will only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. It is necessary for all parties to display the utmost responsibility.”
