Old Habits Never Die: Bali Bhagat slams Congress’ misinformation on IRIS Dena

JAMMU, MARCH 8: Senior BJP leader and former Health Minister Bali Bhagat on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of spreading false and misleading narratives regarding the reported sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in a bid to tarnish India’s global image and question the country’s foreign policy.

In a strongly worded statement, Bhagat said certain Congress leaders were deliberately trying to drag India into an incident that occurred far away from the country’s maritime jurisdiction. He asserted that the Iranian naval vessel had already passed safely through India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and there was no threat, confrontation or military engagement within India’s territorial waters.

“Despite the facts being clear, Congress leaders are attempting to create confusion and spread misinformation to score cheap political points. Such irresponsible statements not only mislead the public but also harm India’s diplomatic credibility on the global stage,” Bhagat said.

Bhagat clarified that the incident related to IRIS Dena reportedly occurred hundreds of nautical miles away from the Indian coastline in international waters and had no direct link with India. He said blaming the Government of India for such an event reflects a complete lack of understanding of international maritime law and global strategic affairs.

Bhagat further pointed out that under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), incidents involving foreign naval vessels in international waters cannot be attributed to a third country unless it occurs within its territorial limits or under its direct operational control.

Taking a sharp dig at the opposition, he said the Congress party has repeatedly shown its tendency to politicise sensitive international matters instead of standing united in matters concerning national interest and sovereignty

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has maintained a balanced, independent and responsible foreign policy, ensuring the country’s strategic autonomy while promoting peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

Bhagat added that India has always followed international maritime norms and humanitarian principles, including facilitating assistance to distressed vessels when required, irrespective of nationality.

“India’s sovereignty and foreign policy decisions are non-negotiable. No political party should spread baseless allegations that weaken the country’s position internationally. Congress must stop this misinformation campaign and apologise to the nation,” he said.

 Reaffirming the government’s commitment to maritime security, Bhagat said India will continue to safeguard its territorial integrity, uphold international law, and act responsibly in global affairs while protecting national interests above all else.