Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Central government, accusing it of remaining silent over the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader and raising concerns about the direction of India’s foreign policy.
In a strongly worded article, Gandhi argued that the government’s response to the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reflects more than diplomatic caution. She said the absence of a clear condemnation signals a troubling shift in India’s long-standing foreign policy principles.
Demand for Open Debate in Parliament
Gandhi has called for a detailed discussion when Parliament reconvenes for the second half of the Budget Session. She insisted that the government must explain its position and address what she described as a “disturbing silence” on the matter.
According to her, the targeted killing of a sitting head of state during ongoing diplomatic efforts represents a serious break from established international norms.
Questions Over Sovereignty and International Law
The former Congress president pointed out that the United Nations Charter, particularly Article 2(4), prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country. She argued that the assassination of a serving leader without a formal declaration of war undermines global legal frameworks.
Gandhi claimed that if such actions go unchallenged by major democracies like India, it may weaken the global commitment to sovereignty and peaceful dispute resolution.
Criticism of Prime Minister’s Response
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi said his public remarks focused only on condemning Iran’s retaliatory actions without addressing the events that led to them. She also referenced his recent diplomatic engagement with Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting that India’s visible political alignment raises further questions.
Congress Reaffirms Its Position
The Congress party has formally condemned the bombings and targeted strikes in Iran, calling them a dangerous escalation with serious regional and global consequences. Gandhi stated that India’s foreign policy tradition has been rooted in non-intervention, sovereign equality, and peaceful settlement of disputes — values also reflected in Article 51 of the Indian Constitution.
