India abstains from voting on UN resolution on Gaza ceasefire

India has abstained from voting in a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The UN resolution which was passed on Friday called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all civilians, the protection of civilians and international institutions, and ensuring the safe passage of humanitarian aid into the Strip.

A total of 120 nations voted in favour of the resolution while 14 countries, including the US and Israel, voted against it.

Besides India, countries that abstained included Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine and the UK.

The resolution, however, did not mention Hamas with the US expressing outrage at the "omission".

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Before the resolution on the Israel-Hamas war was passed, the 193-member body considered an amendment proposed by Canada and co-sponsored by the US to the text.

The amendment proposed by Canada asked for inserting a paragraph in the resolution that would state that the general assembly unequivocally rejects and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas that took place in Israel starting on 7 October 2023.

Israel has rejected the call for a ceasefire in Gaza which has been passed by the United Nations General Assembly, with the country’s foreign minister describing the resolution as “despicable.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “We reject outright the UN General Assembly despicable call for a ceasefire.”

“Israel intends to eliminate Hamas just as the world dealt with the Nazis and ISIS,” he added.

With inputs from PTI