India Abstains from UNGA Resolution for Gaza Ceasefire
Relevance – Gs2
Context
- The UN General Assembly (UNGA) recently adopted a resolution titled:
“Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations” - Voting Outcome:
- 149 countries voted in favor
- 12 countries voted against (including the U.S. and Israel)
- 19 countries abstained — India being one of them
- The resolution:
- Demands an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire
- Calls for full humanitarian access to Gaza
- Urges respect for international law by both Israel and Hamas
- Seeks the return of hostages
India’s Position
- India abstained for the 4th time in 3 years on resolutions critical of Israel.
- Notably, India was the only country in South Asia, BRICS, and the SCO to abstain.
- India cited the need to uphold strategic autonomy—a cornerstone of its foreign policy.
- The abstention reflects India’s balancing act:
- Strong historical support for the Palestinian cause (recognized Palestine in 1988)
- Growing strategic ties with Israel (defense, tech, and intelligence cooperation)
Humanitarian Context
- The death toll in Gaza reportedly stands at 55,000, according to UN officials.
- The resolution emphasizes urgent humanitarian aid: food, water, medicine, shelter, and fuel.
The Two-State Solution
- India officially supports the Two-State Solution:
Coexistence of Israel and Palestine as sovereign states. - This is a UN-backed framework, also supported by the EU and Arab League.
Are UNGA Resolutions Binding?
- No – UNGA resolutions are not legally binding:
- Under the UN Charter (Articles 10–14), they are recommendations, not mandates.
- Only UN Security Council resolutions under Chapter VII can carry enforcement power.
Why UNGA Resolutions Still Matter
- Expression of Global Opinion
→ 149 votes in favor reflect a powerful global moral consensus - Norm-Setting
→ Non-binding resolutions can shape international norms (e.g., UDHR in 1948) - Influence on International Law
→ May serve as evidence of customary law and be cited by courts or tribunals - Moral and Political Pressure
→ Repeated resolutions can isolate violators (e.g., apartheid-era South Africa)
Implications for India
- India seeks to remain a neutral and autonomous actor in global conflicts.
- Abstention preserves strategic relationships with Israel while not abandoning support for Palestine.
- May face criticism from some global and domestic quarters for not taking a firmer humanitarian stand.
- Reflects India’s evolving role as a pragmatic middle power navigating complex global alignments.
