Congress questioned India’s silence regarding the killing of senior leaders of the Iranian regime.
Citing former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Indian National Congress on Monday condemned the Narendra Modi government’s “silence” towards Iran after the US and Israeli strikes.
“No friendship can stand in the way of another, said Indira Gandhi at the White House in 1982. This line has defined India’s foreign policy for decades,” the Congress said in an X post on Monday. The party also questioned India’s silence regarding the “assassination” of senior leaders of the Iranian regime.
This came a day after Congress President Mallikarjun Karji condemned the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes.
“When senior Iranian leaders were assassinated, India did not even issue a condemnation. It did not issue a strong statement. Not a principled stand. It remained silent,” the Congress said, adding that if India spoke of sovereignty and opposed targeted killings, it should do so everywhere. “This principle should apply everywhere, not selectively,” the party said in the post.
“India’s relations with Iran go back 3,000 years”
Highlighting India’s ties with Iran, the Congress said the friendship goes back nearly 3,000 years.
“India’s relations with Persia, today’s Iran, go back nearly 3,000 years. We signed a friendship treaty in 1950 when Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi ruled Iran. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution and after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei became the Supreme Leader, India continued the relationship,” the party asserted.
Follow here for updates on the impact of the West Asian conflict on India
He further stated that Iran was a major supplier of oil to India and also highlighted India’s investments in Chabahar port. “We were not biased. We had relations with the US, Soviet Union, Iran and many other countries at the same time. We did not treat friendships as exclusive,” the Congress said, adding that India had balanced its interests despite global sanctions.
Congress president Karg said on Sunday that his party reiterates that the citizens of every country have the inalienable right to decide their political future. “Given this, the conflict in West Asia stands in stark contrast to our commitment to Vasuddhaiva Kutumbakkam (the world is one family), Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of non-violence, and the non-alignment policy followed by (former) Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru,” Karji said in a statement.
Apart from Congress, other opposition leaders also criticized the Center and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav urged the government to “clarify its position on this international issue” and asked what diplomatic efforts were being taken to “stop the war”.
RJD MP Manoj Jha also urged the Center to clarify its stand on the issue. “The silence I am witnessing is making a lot of noise… This is an era of medieval barbarism… At the very least, India’s position should have been made clear that we condemn such acts, but here there is complete silence…” he told ANI news agency.
What did Prime Minister Modi say about the conflict?
Prime Minister Modi on Monday called for dialogue to resolve disputes and expressed grave concern over the situation in West Asia. “India has always called for dialogue and diplomacy to find a solution to such disputes,” Prime Minister Modi said during a joint press meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The Prime Minister had spoken earlier with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and stressed the safety of civilians. “I had a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the current regional situation. I conveyed India’s concerns over the recent developments and stressed the safety of civilians as a priority. India reiterates the need for an early cessation of hostilities,” Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X.
On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Modi spoke to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and strongly condemned the strikes on the Gulf country.
On Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged all parties to “exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritize the safety of civilians,” while saying that “the sovereignty and safety of all countries must be respected.” In the wake of the escalation of the conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Israeli and Iranian counterparts, conveying India’s concerns and calling for dialogue.
Arya Mishra is a content producer at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi, and a key member of the digital news team focusing on breaking news developments across India and the world. With her keen editorial sense and strong reporting skills, Arya covers high-impact crime incidents, public safety and justice issues, political developments, education policy and international affairs, consistently delivering clear, accurate and timely journalism. Highlights of its recent reporting include detailed coverage of serious criminal cases and politics as well as analyzes of national education reforms and international diplomatic moves. On the global news front, she wrote about changes in global trade policy and security developments, including tariff shifts by the United States and strategic anti-terrorism strategies implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Arya thrives in fast-paced environments – running live blogs, crafting in-depth explainers and real-time news coverage that keeps readers informed as stories develop. Before joining Hindustan Times, she was part of The Indian Express online team. Outside of the newsroom, she is an avid reader, loves thrillers and suspense, and enjoys music as a way to relax. With more than three years of experience in dynamic newsrooms, Arya brings curiosity, clarity and commitment to every story she covers.Read more
