New Delhi, Jun 27: Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi-led government, accusing it of maintaining “stony silence” over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and asserting that India’s response cannot be justified either morally or strategically.
In an opinion article published in The Indian Express, Gandhi alleged that New Delhi’s continued inaction on the Gaza conflict has distanced India from its long-standing foreign policy principles and weakened its credibility among nations in the Global South.
She argued that India, which has historically supported peace, anti-colonial struggles and Palestinian aspirations, has failed to raise its voice despite growing international concern over the situation in Gaza. According to Gandhi, the government’s silence has isolated India from traditional partners such as Palestine, Iran and several countries in West Asia while allowing Pakistan to project itself as a diplomatic intermediary.
Referring to findings of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Gandhi claimed that the commission had reiterated concerns over the scale of destruction in Gaza and the impact of military operations on civilians, particularly children. She cited the commission’s observations regarding extensive damage to schools, hospitals and essential infrastructure, arguing that the humanitarian consequences demanded a stronger response from the international community.
The Congress leader maintained that the suffering of civilians, especially women and children, required India to uphold its long-standing commitment to humanitarian values and international law. She said remaining silent in the face of such devastation was inconsistent with India’s traditional foreign policy approach.
Gandhi also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel, describing it as a strategic decision that, in her view, would be debated for years. She contended that India’s closer alignment with Israel had come at the cost of relations with several countries in the region and had reduced New Delhi’s diplomatic influence on issues concerning West Asia.
She further argued that many countries across Europe, Latin America and Africa have taken stronger positions on the Gaza conflict through diplomatic initiatives and legal actions, while India has refrained from making a comparable intervention despite its global stature.
Highlighting India’s legacy of supporting peace and justice on international platforms, Gandhi said the country had traditionally played a constructive role in promoting dialogue and defending the rights of oppressed communities. She asserted that preserving this legacy required India to speak with greater moral clarity on the ongoing conflict.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge shared Gandhi’s article on social media, saying it reflected concerns over India’s changing foreign policy and its impact on relations with countries in the Middle East. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also endorsed the article, calling for India to reclaim an independent foreign policy rooted in humanitarian principles and moral responsibility.
The BJP-led government has not issued an immediate response to Sonia Gandhi’s remarks.