Owaisi Questions PM Modi’s Israel Visit, Rijiju Calls It Politics

A political face-off erupted after AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his past visit to Israel, drawing a sharp response from Union Minister Kiren Rijiju.

Owaisi’s Remarks in Hyderabad

Addressing supporters in Hyderabad, Owaisi said it was inappropriate for the Prime Minister to express strong support for Israel without explicitly condemning Hamas during his speech in the Israeli Parliament.

“It is wrong that the Prime Minister visited Israel and addressed its Parliament saying that India stands with Israel. You could have said that Hamas is wrong in your address,” Owaisi stated, arguing that India’s foreign policy should maintain balance in sensitive geopolitical conflicts.

Owaisi has consistently advocated for what he calls an even-handed diplomatic approach, particularly on issues concerning West Asia and the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Rijiju Responds from Himachal Pradesh

Reacting to Owaisi’s comments during a public interaction in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, Kiren Rijiju dismissed the criticism as politically motivated.

“This is politics being done. One should not always criticise the government or abuse Prime Minister Modi,” Rijiju said, defending the Prime Minister’s diplomatic outreach and asserting that India’s foreign policy decisions are guided by national interest.

Backdrop of PM’s Israel Visit

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel marked a significant milestone in India-Israel relations, being the first standalone visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country. During the visit, he addressed the Israeli Parliament and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening strategic, defence, and technological cooperation with Israel.

The visit was widely seen as a major shift in India’s diplomatic engagement in West Asia, though New Delhi has repeatedly maintained that it supports a two-state solution and peaceful dialogue in the region.