NEW INDIAN EXPRESS
by Press Trust of India
July 7, 2015

India’s abstention in a vote at the UNHCR on a UN report critical of Israel’s Gaza war last year is being seen here as a “significant shift” in New Delhi’s policy, a “testament to strong ties” which are “taking off” under the new NDA regime, experts have said. In a “historic first” in UN votes on Israel, India did not vote for the Palestinians, but rather abstained, wrote a commentator while others described it as “dramatic” and an “unprecedented achievement for Israel”. They said the move indicated a major “take off” in ties indicated also by an announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Israel, the first by an Indian Premier. The UNHRC on Friday adopted a resolution condemning Israel for its use of “huge firepower” against Gazans during its offensive last year. 41 countries voted in favour of the resolution with only Israel’s close ally US voting against. India, Kenya, Ethiopia, Paraguay and Macedonia abstained. READ MORE