Congress attacks government over abstaining from UNGA resolution on Gaza

Attacking the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for abstaining from voting during the resolution at the United Nations General Assembly for a ceasefire in Gaza, the Congress party on Saturday (June 14, 2025) alleged that India’s foreign policy was in “shambles”. | Photo Credit: AP

Attacking the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for abstaining from voting during the resolution at the United Nations General Assembly for a ceasefire in Gaza, the Congress party on Saturday (June 14, 2025) alleged that India’s foreign policy was in “shambles”.

While Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said India stood isolated due to this stance, the party’s general secretary (organisation), K.C. Venugopal, said India cannot stand by silently or passively while the region faces horrific violence, humanitarian catastrophe, and increasing instability.

On June 13, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and resumption of humanitarian aid to stave off famine. 149 countries voted in favour, India was one of the 19 countries that abstained.

Mr. Kharge said that India virtually stood isolated by this step.

“It is now increasingly evident that our Foreign Policy is in shambles. Perhaps, PM Modi must now take a call on his EAM’s [External Affairs Minister] repeated blunders and set some accountability,” he said in a post on X.

“Have we abandoned India’s consistent stand advocating for a ceasefire, peace, and dialogue in the Middle East and West Asia? This stance is deeply rooted in our long-standing tradition of Non-Alignment and moral diplomacy, through which India has always championed justice and peace in international conflicts,” the Congress president said.

Mr. Venugopal said India had always stood for peace, justice, and human dignity. “But today, India stands alone as the only country in South Asia, BRICS, and SCO to abstain on a UNGA resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. 60,000 killed. Most of them women and children. Thousands starving,” he said.

In a post on X, he asked if India had abandoned its principled stand against war and genocide.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also termed India’s stand as “shameful and disappointing”. She said that the government chose to abstain on the UN motion for the protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations in Gaza.

“60,000 people, mostly women and children have been killed already, an entire population is being confined and starved to death, and we are refusing to take a stand. This is a tragic reversal of our anti-colonial legacy. In fact, not only are we standing silent as Mr. [Benjamin] Netanyahu annihilates an entire nation, we are cheering on as his government attacks Iran and assassinates its leadership in flagrant violation of its sovereignty and complete contravention of all international norms,” she said.

Party general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gone all out of his way to “appease” his close friend Mr. Netanyahu, who has “spearheaded genocide in Gaza and launched an air war on Iran to effect regime change”.

Published - June 14, 2025 09:25 pm IST