India among 119 nations vote to raise Palestine, Vatican flags at UN

United Nations, Sept 11: India and 118 other countries voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution granting the right to non-member observer States of Palestine and the Vatican to raise their flags at the world body's headquarters and offices following the flags of its 193 Member States.

The resolution, "Raising the flags of non-member observer States at the United Nations," was adopted by a vote of 119 in favour to 8 against, with 45 delegations abstaining, according to a statement issued by the UN on Thursday.

Australia, Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Tuvalu and the United States voted against the resolution.

The text also requested Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to take "the measures necessary" for the implementation of this decision during the Assembly's seventieth session, which begins on 15 September, and within 20 days of the adoption of the resolution.

The Assembly took today's decision noting the participation of non-member observer States that maintain permanent observer missions at Headquarters, of which there are currently two - the Holy See and Palestine, in its sessions and work.

OneIndia News