Top News

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday criticised India's silence on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, saying that the Centre's silence is "not just a loss of its voice, but also a surrender of values". In an article titled 'It is still not too late for India's voice to be heard,' Gandhi also criticised US President Donald Trump for following a "destructive path" in West Asia.

"New Delhi's silence on the devastation in Gaza and now on the unprovoked escalation against Iran reflects a disturbing departure from our moral and diplomatic traditions. This represents not just a loss of voice but also a surrender of values," the senior Congress leader said in her article in 'The Hindu'.

"It is still not too late. India must speak clearly, act responsibly, and use every diplomatic channel available to defuse tensions and promote a return to dialogue in West Asia," she asserted.

She accused the Indian government of abandoning its long-standing commitment to a peaceful two-nation solution envisioning an independent Palestine along with Israel.

"The Narendra Modi government has all but abandoned India's long-standing and principled commitment to a peaceful two-state solution, one that envisions a sovereign, independent Palestine living side-by-side with Israel in mutual security and dignity," she said.

Gandhi's opinion piece comes after the external affairs ministry expressed concern over Israel's wave of airstrikes on Iran and its nuclear sites.

Backing Tehran following Israel's "deeply troubling and unlawful strike against Iran and its sovereignty," Gandhi noted that the world on June 13 once again, "witnessed the dangerous consequences of unilateral militarism". 

She further drew parallels with Israel's conflict with Gaza, and how its offensives were "executed with utter disregard for civilian lives and regional stability". These actions will only deepen instability and sow the seeds of further conflict," she noted, adding that the Indian National Congress has condemned Israel's bombings and targeted assassinations on Iranian soil.

Sonia Gandhi Slams Netanyahu

Gandhi lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allehging that he "has a long and unfortunate record of undermining peace and nurturing extremism". She said "it is not surprising that Netanyahu would choose escalation over engagement".

The Congress leader went on to refer to Trump's June 17 statement when he dismissed US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard's assessment that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon and instead claiming that Iran was "very close" to acquiring nuclear weapons as "deeply disappointing".

"The world expects and needs leadership that is grounded in facts and driven by diplomacy, and not by force or falsehoods," she said.

She said while the Congress unequivocally condemned the "absolutely horrific and totally unacceptable attacks" by Hamas on October 7, 2023, "we cannot remain silent in the face of Israel's catastrophic and disproportionate response."

'Iran A Long-Standing Friend To India'

Sonia Gandhi highlighted how Iran has been a long-standing friend to India and is connected to the country by deep civilisational ties.

"It has a history of steadfast support, including in Jammu and Kashmir at crucial junctures. In 1994, Iran helped block a resolution critical of India at the UN Commission on Human Rights on the Kashmir issue," she noted.

"Indeed, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been much more cooperative with India than its predecessor, the Imperial State of Iran, that had tilted towards Pakistan in the 1965 and 1971 wars," she added.

Referring to the strategic relations between India-Israel in recent decades, she said, "This unique position gives our country the moral responsibility and the diplomatic leverage to act as a bridge for de-escalation and peace."

"This is not simply an abstract principle. Lakhs of Indian citizens are living and working across West Asia, which makes peace in the region an issue of vital national interest. Israel's recent actions against Iran have taken place in an atmosphere of impunity, enabled by near-unconditional support from powerful western nations," Gandhi said.