India for the first time abstained from a vote seeking the commercial sale of African elephant tusks.
It strengthens suspicions of a quid pro quo deal with Namibia for facilitating the transfer of eight cheetahs.
Zimbabwe introduced a proposal to allow the commercial sale of elephant tusks that were stockpiled by the governments of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
CITES is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of international trade.
CITES protects more than 38,000 species against over-exploitation by either banning trade completely or placing strict restrictions.