UNGA resolution on Israel-Hamas conflict and India’s stand

UNGA resolution on Israel-Hamas conflict and India’s stand

News: Recently, India voted in favour of a resolution in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) that demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and the unconditional release of all hostages.

What is the UNGA resolution?
• The resolution expressed “grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population,”
• It put forward two key demands, including “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” and “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access”.

Which notable countries opposed the resolution?
• The resolution was opposed by 10 countries. These were Austria, The Czech Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Liberia, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and the United States.

Why did India abstain from the previous UNGA resolution?
• On October 27, India abstained in a UNGA vote on a resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The country’s decision was in line with the one that it has maintained in the other ongoing — and deeply polarising conflict — in the world: the Russia-Ukraine war.
• While the circumstances, politics, and conditions of the two wars are vastly different and not comparable, the diplomatic toolkit of hedging and balancing between the warring sides has been a consistent feature of New Delhi’s approach.