By The Sampadak Express
A political face-off erupted on Saturday after senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi questioned the Modi government’s silence over the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, calling it a “diplomatic failure” and a break from India’s “moral and strategic traditions.” The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly rebutted the charges, accusing the Congress of politicising sensitive foreign policy matters.
Congress Slams India’s Silence
In a strongly-worded opinion piece titled “It Is Still Not Too Late for India’s Voice to Be Heard” published in The Hindu, Sonia Gandhi condemned Israel’s strikes on Iranian territory, calling them “unlawful” and a grave escalation with regional and global consequences. She wrote, “As with so many of Israel’s recent actions, including its brutal and disproportionate campaign in Gaza, this operation was executed with utter disregard for civilian lives and regional stability.”
Highlighting the humanitarian toll of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, Gandhi added, “More than 55,000 Palestinians have lost their lives. Entire families, neighbourhoods, and even hospitals have been obliterated. Gaza stands on the brink of famine.”
Gandhi reminded the government that Iran has historically stood by India, citing Iran’s support during the 1994 UN Human Rights Commission debate on Kashmir. She also mentioned how the collapse of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, following the U.S.’s unilateral withdrawal, had harmed India’s economic interests particularly concerning the Chabahar Port project and the International North-South Transport Corridor.
Gandhi concluded by urging the government to break its silence: “It is still not too late. India must speak clearly, act responsibly, and use every diplomatic channel to promote peace in West Asia.”
BJP Hits Back: ‘Congress Playing Politics with Foreign Policy’Responding to Sonia Gandhi’s remarks, BJP spokesperson RP Singh said the Congress was viewing diplomacy through the prism of domestic politics. “The problem is Congress. They are seeing diplomacy through a lens of their politics. India’s stance is clear both Israel and Iran must de-escalate,” he said.
The BJP emphasised that India has consistently advocated for peace and stability in the region and maintains a balanced position based on national interest and global peace efforts.
India’s Diplomatic Tightrope
India has so far refrained from making strong public statements about the Israel-Iran confrontation, opting instead for quiet diplomacy. New Delhi’s cautious approach, according to foreign policy experts, is aimed at preserving strategic partnerships on both sides with Israel being a key defence partner and Iran a crucial player in regional connectivity and energy security.
As tensions continue to rise in West Asia, political discourse within India over its foreign policy choices is intensifying. While the Congress is pushing for a more vocal stance aligned with traditional non-alignment values, the BJP maintains that strategic silence, in this case, serves the nation’s long-term interests.
