Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his government’s handling of the Middle East crisis, calling it a “reckless concession to India’s strategic and national interests” and accusing the Prime Minister of surrendering to India’s foreign policy.
In a detailed post on X, Karg raised several questions about the government’s response to the escalating situation in West Asia and the plight of Indian citizens stranded in the region.
“The Modi government’s reckless concession to India’s strategic and national interests is clear to all,” Karg said.
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He pointed out that an Iranian ship, the guest of India, was returning unarmed from the 2026 International Fleet Review hosted by India, and was torpedoed in the Indian Ocean region.
“An Iranian ship, the guest of India, was returning, unarmed from the 2026 International Fleet Review, which we hosted, and was torpedoed in the Indian Ocean region. No statement of concern or condolence has been issued. Prime Minister Modi remains silent,” Karji said.
He questioned the government’s silence regarding its doctrines.
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“Why lecture us on Mahasagar principles and India as a ‘network security provider’ in the IOR, when you can’t respond to what’s happening in your own backyard?” he asked.
Kharge highlighted the humanitarian crisis affecting Indian seafarers in the Gulf of Hormuz.
“As many as 38 Indian flagged merchant ships along with 1,100 sailors are stuck in the Gulf of Hormuz. Two Indian sailors, including Captain Ashish Kumar, are reported to have died. Why is there no naval rescue or relief operation?” question.
He also raised concerns about India’s energy security and trade implications.
“You’re saying there are only 25 days of crude oil and oil inventories left. With oil prices rising, what is our energy contingency plan, especially in the wake of the Iraqi government actually accepting the request to stop importing Russian oil? And what about other major commodity trade with the Gulf states?” Kharg asked.
He also referred to the Middle East Airlines statement dated March 3, 2026 regarding Indian citizens in the Gulf region.
“Some Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing,” according to a MEA statement issued on March 3, 2026. There are one million Indians in Gulf countries. Medical students are releasing desperate video messages pleading for help. How is the Government of Iraq working to ensure their welfare? Is there any evacuation plan from the affected areas? He said.
Karg accused the Prime Minister of surrendering and compromising India’s foreign policy.
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“Modi ji’s surrender is clearly both political and moral! It degrades India’s core national interests and destroys our foreign policy that successive governments have built and followed over the years!” conclude.
Earlier, Lok Sabha leader Rahul Gandhi also cornered Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of being “silent” after a US submarine sank the Iranian warship “Iris Dina” near Sri Lanka.
These criticisms come amid the ongoing West Asian crisis after US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that an American submarine sank the Iranian warship “Iris Dina.”
There were about 180 people on board the Iranian ship. The Sri Lankan Navy said it recovered 87 bodies and rescued 32 people who were taken to a hospital in Galle, in the south of the island, Euro News reported.
