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India was notably absent from a letter signed by 104 countries, including European, African, and much of the Global South nations, condemning Israel for banning UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering Israel.
India has abstained from at least four major resolutions critical of Israel on Palestinian issues, marking a shift from its traditional alignment with the Global South.
Significance of Non-Signing:
India's decision not to sign the letter, circulated by Chile and supported by Brazil, Colombia, South Africa, Uganda, Indonesia, Spain, Guyana, and Mexico, is significant as the letter defends the UN Secretary-General and the UN, rather than any party in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Many neighbouring countries from South Asia, as well as nations from West Asia, South America, and Africa, signed the letter at the UN last week.
Content of the Letter:
The 105 signatories, including 104 member-states and the African Union, expressed deep concern and condemnation of Israel’s decision to declare Guterres persona non grata, arguing that such actions undermine the UN’s ability to mediate conflicts and provide humanitarian support.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, declared Guterres persona non grata on October 2, accusing him of not unequivocally condemning Iranian missile strikes on Israel, despite Guterres issuing statements on Iran’s actions both before and after the ban.
The letter, released by Chile’s Foreign Ministry, called for respect for the UN’s leadership and reaffirmed full support and confidence in Guterres and his work.
The letter followed a statement by the 15-nation UN Security Council, which emphasized that refusing to engage with the UN Secretary-General or the UN is counterproductive.
India's Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to requests for comments on why the country chose not to sign the letter.
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