India has abstained from voting on a resolution on Palestine adopted at the UN rights body that calls for accountability by parties involved in conflict in Gaza. Although India, Kenya, Ethiopia, Paraguay and Macedonia abstained, the resolution was adopted as 41 countries voted in its favour. These included European Union member countries Britain, France and Germany; China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Maldives from India’s neighbourhood and Russia. Israel’s closest ally US was the only country to vote against the resolution.

India has traditionally voted in favour of such resolutions. So, the move is being seen in the context of India warming up to Israel under PM Narendra Modi.

India has been steadfast in its support to Palestine and to the Palestinian people’s struggle for a sovereign and independent state of Palestine. India was the first non-Arab country to recognize Palestine way back in 1988. But a complete reversal of the New Delhi’s traditional support to Palestine seems unlikely. The resolution is based on the report of the Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict, headed by Mary McGowan Davis, who presented the report to the Council.