India's foreign policy in the past year navigated a middle path, notably maintaining its relationship with Russia despite Western criticism, a stance largely supported domestically. This consensus contrasts with the Israel-Palestine issue, where the government's pro-Israel stance, evidenced by a UNGA abstention, drew sharp criticism from the Congress party. The Congress argued this betrayed India's anti-colonial identity, though the article suggests a Congress government might have faced similar institutional pressures regarding defense cooperation with Israel.