India stays out of joint statement criticising Israel’s West Bank plans

India abstains from a joint statement criticizing Israel's West Bank plans, possibly linked to Modi's upcoming visit to Israel.

India stayed out of statement issued at a joint press conference of diplomats from more than 85 countries at the United Nations, criticising Israel’s latest plans to tighten control of territory in the West Bank.

The statement was endorsed by the League of Arab States; the European Union; BRICS founder members Russia, China, Brazil, and South Africa; India’s Quad partners Australia and Japan; and neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, the Maldives, Mauritius, and Pakistan. It came just ahead of a UN meeting on the issue and the U.S.-led Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Thursday.

India’s decision is a departure from previous positions, particularly its vote at the UN in October 2025 criticising Israel’s illegal annexation of Palestinian territory, and the Delhi Declaration on January 31, 2026 that supported a Palestinian state based on “1967 borders”.

The External Affairs Ministry declined to comment on the reasons for India’s stance.

More than a policy shift, the flip-flop and the decisions to stay away from both the joint statement and the Board of Peace meetings are seen as linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Israel on February 25-26, observers say.

The joint statement was issued at a “stakeout” on Tuesday, and it was read out by the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, flanked by diplomats from dozens of countries that co-signed the document.