India has voted in favor of a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that will permit Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the assembly's high-level session via video. The decision comes after the United States denied visas to Abbas and other Palestinian officials, preventing them from attending in person.

The resolution, titled "Participation by the State of Palestine," was adopted by the 193-member General Assembly with a significant majority of 145 nations voting in favor. Five countries, including the US and Israel, opposed the resolution, while six abstained. The resolution officially allows the "State of Palestine [to] submit a prerecorded statement of its President, which will be played in the General Assembly Hall". Abbas is scheduled to deliver his remarks on September 25.

The US's decision to deny visas to the Palestinian delegation, which included approximately 80 officials, has been met with widespread criticism. The UN has asserted that the action violates the Host Country Agreement, which requires the US to permit heads of state and government to travel to New York for annual meetings and diplomatic business. A State Department official stated that the visa denials were due to "national security interests" and to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and for undermining the prospects for peace. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio blamed the Palestinian officials for undermining peace efforts and for seeking the unilateral recognition of a conjectural Palestinian state.

The Palestinian Authority had urged Washington to reinstate Abbas's visa so he could lead the Palestinian delegation and address the UNGA in person. Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour thanked the countries that backed the resolution, calling it a “crystal clear position” that the host country must respect its obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement. He added that denying visas was "an abuse of authority and a punishment for the State of Palestine that should not take place".

India's support for the resolution aligns with its consistent advocacy for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In fact, just days prior, India voted in favor of a UN General Assembly resolution that endorses the 'New York Declaration' on the peaceful settlement of the Palestine issue and implementation of the two-state solution.

Several other countries, including the UK, France, Australia, and Canada, are expected to formally recognize the State of Palestine during the UN General Assembly meetings. These recognitions, along with the UNGA resolution, signal growing international support for Palestinian statehood. France's President Macron stated that recognizing a Palestinian state was not aimed against Israel but intended to “restore hope,” promote peace and isolate Hamas.

The UN vote highlights the widening rift between the United States and the international community regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue. While the US has taken steps to isolate the Palestinian leadership, the UN has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the Palestinian voice is heard.