“Any departure from the traditional policy of India towards Arab world, especially in respect of Palestine, will result in nothing but strong opposition and deep sentiments from the people of India.”
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Terming it as “ridiculous and unacceptable,” India’s decision to abstain from voting on a resolution condemning Israel at the UN Human Rights Council for last year’s Gaza offensive in the name of technical reasons, E Ahamed, national president, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has said, it is been seen as a “significant” change in New Delhi’s policy.
“This is ridiculous and unacceptable as it is against the declared and conventional policy of solidarity with the people of Palestine and Arab world,” Ahamed, Member of Parliament and former MoS for External Affairs, said in a statement here on Tuesday.
India has traditionally voted in favour of all anti-Israel resolutions at UN institutions and this change in voting pattern comes amid talks of deepening ties and similar speculations regarding India’s voting inclinations, he mentioned.
As many as 41 countries voted in favour of the resolution with only Israel’s ally US voting against. India, Kenya, Ethiopia, Paraguay and Macedonia abstained. The 50-day Gaza war reportedly killed 1,462 civilians, and left 11,231 injured from the Palestinian side.
“The present government cannot ignore India’s traditional policy and perceptions towards Palestine and for the cause of Palestinian people and also the continuing support that we have given especially to the International bodies supporting Palestinian cause. The government should also take into account the sentiments of a large section of Indian people towards the cause of Palestine,” Ahamad said.
“While taking an unprecedented approach towards such a sensitive issue, India should never forget the deep-rooted sentiments towards India and its people by the Arab all these decades. It is in the best interest that India should always keep in mind the unstinted support the people of Arab world shown towards our country. Any departure from the traditional policy of India towards Arab world, especially in respect of Palestine, will result in nothing but strong opposition and deep sentiments from the people of India,” he warned.