New Delhi, Feb 03 : Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday sharply criticised the Modi government for what she described as its “silence” on the targeted killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. She argued that the absence of a clear response is not neutrality but an abdication that casts doubt on India’s diplomatic direction.
In an article published in The Indian Express, Gandhi said the assassination of a sitting head of state during an ongoing diplomatic process represents a serious rupture in international relations. She questioned why New Delhi has refrained from condemning what she termed a violation of Iranian sovereignty.
According to her, the government initially responded only to Iran’s retaliatory actions without addressing the sequence of events that preceded them. She said subsequent expressions of “deep concern” and references to dialogue did not adequately reflect the gravity of the situation.
Call for Parliamentary Discussion
Gandhi urged that when Parliament reconvenes for the second half of the Budget session, the issue should be debated openly. She stressed that democratic accountability requires a transparent articulation of India’s position on developments that affect global stability.
Citing Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, she said the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state violates foundational principles of international law. If such actions go unchallenged, she warned, it risks normalising the erosion of established global norms.
Concerns Over Diplomatic Balance
The Congress leader also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently visited Israel and reiterated support for its leadership amid escalating regional tensions. She argued that India’s credibility depends on being perceived as guided by principle rather than expediency, especially given its longstanding ties with both Tehran and Tel Aviv.
Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Gandhi recalled his 2001 visit to Tehran, during which he reaffirmed India’s historical and civilisational links with Iran. She suggested that such balanced engagement should remain central to India’s diplomatic approach.
Emphasising that nearly 10 million Indians live and work across the Gulf region, she said India’s ability to safeguard its citizens during crises has historically relied on its image as an independent and principled actor.
Gandhi concluded that the assassination, the broader instability in West Asia, and the weakening of the rules-based international order directly affect India’s strategic and moral commitments. A clear and timely articulation of the country’s stance, she said, is both a democratic imperative and a strategic necessity.